one million places less for Aena’s rates

The Irish airline returns to the load announcing a drastic reduction of its operation in Spain for the winter season. The company will eliminate a million places in regional airports and cancel 36 direct routes, in a new escalation of its conflict with AENA for airport rates.

The toughest blow. Ryanair will completely close his operations base in Santiago de Compostela, where he maintained two aircraft, and will suspend all flights to Vigo since January 2026 and Tenerife Norte from this winter. Besides, will keep the bases of Valladolid and Jerez closedas he did during this summer.

Impact on numbers. The decision supposes The loss of 1.25 million annual seats Only in Galicia, according to the company’s figures. In the Peninsula as a whole, Ryanair It will reduce its capacity in regional airports by 41% (600,000 places less) and in the Canary Islands by 10% (400,000 places less). Santiago’s closure will also imply The loss of more than 100 jobs Between pilots and cabin crew, although the airline has promised to offer transfers to other bases.

Other airports in the spotlight. The cuts too They will affect significantly to Zaragoza (-45%capacity), Santander (-38%), Asturias (-16%) and Vitoria (-2%). In total, the company will cancel 36 direct connections with regional and canary destinations, diverting these flights to Italy, Morocco, Croatia and Albania.

The official justification. Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, has attributed These measures to the 6.62% increase in airport rates that AENA will apply from next year. “We cannot justify a continuous investment in airports whose growth is blocked by excessive and uncommunchanting rates,” said Wilson, who encrypted in 200 million dollars the lost investment in Galicia.

Aena’s answer. The airport operator He has responded Hardly, accusing Ryanair of practicing “Phariseism, bad education and blackmail.” Maurici Lucena, president of Aena, has defended that Spanish rates are “the most competitive of the European environment” and has criticized what he considers “a disturbing plutocratic conception” of the Irish company.

Beyond rates. Although officially the conflict focuses on airport rates, the tension between Ryanair and the Spanish government includes other fronts, such as The fine of 109 million euros imposed by consumption by hand luggage policies, currently suspended by the courts.

Galicia takes the worst part. In the specific case of Vigo, the cessation of operations will arrive after the end of the tourism promotion agreement of 1.8 million euros signed with the City Council, which has not been renewed. The Xunta de Galicia has already announced that it will request an urgent meeting of the Airport Coordination Committee to demand a change in AENA’s policy towards medium and small airports.

Cover image | Wolfgang Weiser

In Xataka | The airlines have taken from their passengers the right to carry a suitcase. Europe is at the doors to return it