Expat Guide To Spain

Ryanair has announced a significant reduction in its Spanish operations, a move that will see the airline close one of its bases and terminate dozens of routes. The decision, which will impact millions of travellers, is in response to a planned increase in airport fees by Spain's state-controlled operator, Aena.

The airline is set to close its base in Santiago de Compostela, which will result in the suspension of all flights to Vigo and Tenerife North. This move is part of a broader strategy to cut capacity in regional Spain by 16% and in the Canary Islands by 10%. In addition to the base closure, Ryanair will keep its bases in Valladolid and Jerez shut and reduce capacity at airports in Asturias, Santander, Zaragoza, and Vitoria.

The cuts are expected to eliminate around two million seats per year from the Spanish market, with the airline redirecting this capacity to routes in Italy, Morocco, Croatia, and Albania. Services to Tenerife North are set to end with the start of the winter season, while flights to Vigo will be suspended in January 2026.

Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson and Head of Communications Alejandra Ruiz announced the changes at a press conference in Madrid, cautioning that the cuts would lead to "a loss of investment, connectivity, tourism, and employment in regional Spain." The airline is urging the Spanish government and competition watchdog CNMC to intervene against the "excessive rate increases" proposed by Aena, which plans to raise fees by 6.5% by 2026.

This recent announcement comes after a summer of travel disruptions, with the airline also being affected by air traffic control strikes and ongoing baggage handler strikes in Spain.