Irish airline Ryanair has announced that there will be significantly fewer flights to Spain this summer.
In total, this involves a reduction of 800.000 seats on flights to and from Spanish destinations. According to a press release from the low-cost carrier, which was shared by the Reuters news agency, the reason for this decision lies in the "excessive taxes" imposed by the Spanish airport operator Aena, according to Ryanair.
The decision affects both smaller airports and larger regional airports in Spain. Ryanair will stop flying to Jerez de la Frontera and Valladolid completely. It will also reduce frequencies on routes to Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Santander and Asturias airport.
Ryanair has been fighting a fierce battle against the fares charged by Aena for years. However, the Spanish airport operator claims that its average fare is only 10,35 euros per passenger. According to Aena, this is one of the lowest airport charges in Europe. Ryanair nevertheless continues to maintain that the fares are too high and discourage growth in aviation.
In the press release, Ryanair states that other countries are pursuing the opposite policy. According to the airline, governments in countries including Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary and Morocco are actively taking measures to stimulate aviation. This would be done, among other things, through lower fares and other forms of support, such as tax breaks and investments in infrastructure. Ryanair indicates that it will therefore transfer capacity to these countries.
In addition to fares, Ryanair has also faced other challenges in Spain in recent times. Last year, there were several strikes by airport workers, including baggage handlers and air traffic controllers. This led to delays and cancellations, which may have played a role in Ryanair’s decision to reduce flights to Spain.
Competition at Spanish airports is also fierce. Other low-cost carriers such as Vueling and EasyJet have a strong position on domestic and international routes to and from Spain. This may also have been a factor in Ryanair's strategic rethink.
economic impact
Ryanair’s decision could have an economic impact, particularly for the affected regions. Many of the airports affected, such as those in Jerez de la Frontera and Valladolid, rely heavily on tourism and business travellers. Fewer flights could hit the local economy, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and tourism. Local authorities and businesses have not yet publicly commented on the impact of the decision, but experts warn that the capacity reduction could have a significant impact.
Meanwhile, Ryanair continues to maintain its strategy of seeking growth in countries where it believes conditions are more favourable, in line with previous moves by Ryanair to adapt to changing market and regulatory demands.
