By Farah Mokrani

Copyright euroweeklynews

Ryanair has warned that it could slash another one million seats from flights to Spain next summer, escalating its row with the country’s state-owned airport operator Aena over passenger charges.

The airline, which already cut up to two million seats over the past year, is standing firm in its refusal to pay a 6.5 per cent hike in fees. Speaking after the company’s annual meeting, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary told the Financial Times he expects to confirm the new cuts when he returns to Madrid in two weeks.

That statement was later confirmed to Euro Weekly News by the airline’s head of communications, Alejandra Ruiz García.

Ryanair pushes back against Aena’s charges

O’Leary said the problem is simple: Aena is raising costs across the board, regardless of airport size or demand. “We are better off flying at the same cost to Palma than flying to Jerez,” he said, criticising what he called Aena’s ‘monopoly approach to pricing’.

For Ryanair, which flies more passengers in and out of Spain than any other airline, including Iberia, the fight is more than symbolic. Spain is its second-largest market after Italy, accounting for 18 per cent of total revenue last year.

The budget carrier has already pulled winter flights from Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Valladolid, Jerez and Tenerife. O’Leary has made clear that unless fees are rolled back, the cuts will deepen.

Empty airports and redirected flights

Ryanair argues that Aena’s strategy is pricing out regional airports, leaving terminals half-empty while traffic funnels into hubs like Málaga and Palma.

Of the one million seats already removed from smaller airports, around half a million have been redirected to Málaga and Palma, while the rest have been shifted to Italian destinations. O’Leary claimed the spat has actually boosted demand, telling reporters that Ryanair bookings are ‘up 8 per cent in a week’ thanks to the publicity.

Aena, however, has hit back, accusing Ryanair of ‘extortion’ and pointing out that the increase amounts to just €0.68 per passenger. Officials also noted that Ryanair has formally applied to operate more flights than it publicly claims to be cutting.

What it means for passengers

For holidaymakers and expats who rely on budget flights to connect Spain with the rest of Europe, the threat of another million seats disappearing could mean fewer options and higher fares in the peak summer months of 2026.

The airline insists it will continue to grow where the costs make sense. “If regional Spain is too expensive, we’ll fly elsewhere,” O’Leary said bluntly.

Behind the scenes, the Irish carrier is also pushing ahead with its fleet expansion. After months of delays, Ryanair expects to receive 25 new Boeing aircraft this year, with four more early in 2026.

Impact on Spain’s travel industry

Spain’s tourism economy depends heavily on low-cost airlines, and any reduction in flights will be felt not just by passengers but also by hotels, bars and local businesses. As the row between Ryanair and Aena intensifies, the outcome will help determine whether Spain’s smaller airports can thrive – or continue to lose ground to bigger hubs.

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