lose up to 60% of air traffic

They threatened and fulfilled. Ryanair has left or reduced its operations in seven Spanish cities, leaving semi -vaiors some airports in our country or, directly, eliminating more than half of the routes that came out from them. Now, the exit and without a company that occupies the hole left by the Low Cost Irish, we already know the impact.

I set up. They announced it in January of this year. Ryanair made his bags and sought routes, in his opinion, more profitable than the Spanish. In total, 800,000 places less this summer, the closure of its activity in two Spanish cities and a reduction of its operations in five other cities.

Specifically, 12 routes that suppose 18% of the company’s activity in our country. Jerez and Valladolid have fired Of the flights offered by the company and in Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza, Asturias and Santander the operations between 5% (Santander) and 61% (Vigo) have been reduced.

The reasons. “Despite the decision of the Spanish government in 2021 to freeze rates at airports until 2026, Aena has tried to increase rates every year and more accentuated in Spanish regional airports, where traffic is maintained below the levels prior to the Covid crisis,” with these words Ryanair explained its march.

The decision also described it as “completely avoidable” and stressed that it would be “devastating for regional connectivity, employment and tourism in Spain.” That is, Ryanair directly pointed to the government and Aena rates that are charged for the maintenance of airports.

The reasons? Despite Ryanair’s explanations, other reasons float in the air. The most obvious is that Fine of 107.78 million euros that the government has applied to Ryanair for its regulations regarding hand luggage has been decisive in the succession of events. The company’s own CEO, Michael O’Leary, He came to qualify as “clown” To the Minister of Consumption, Pablo Bustinduy.

That fine is controversial because For consumption there is no doubt that a cabin suitcase is “essential” to travel. Ryanair defends himself saying that European regulations do not clearly specify what the measures of the “essential” bulk that must be embarked should be. Therefore, they ensure that the government is financially punishing the company for no reason.

And justice does not end up being clear. Even in Spain, Ryanair has received favorable and opposite sentences in litigation related to the hand suitcase and the collection of it when it comes to what is popularly known as a cabin troley. Aena’s rates, therefore, seem only the excuse to break the routes.

Its impact. In his march, Ryanair knew where he could hurt. He has left behind airports with very little activity, which means the closure of many routes that had the foreigner. Now, many citizens have to travel to Madrid, Barcelona and other large cities to take flights outside Spain.

The most affected airport is Valladolid, where 63.2% of its passengers have vanished, according to data collected by Aena. It is the most affected city of the previous list. Together added 779,226 passengers in April, for the 871,070 passengers of the same month of last year. And that specifies in the economic environment, which Holy Week has been held in that period, which adds extra passengers (last year it was held in March).

In total, 92,000 passengers have been lost in the sum of all airports and, according to Expansion75% of these operations correspond to trips offered by Ryanair.

Zaragoza grows. Of the cities where Ryanair has reduced its operations, only Zaragoza manages to grow Regarding the month of April 2024. Its traffic grew by 13.6% despite the fact that the company had announced the withdrawal of 20% of the operations on the soil.

Contrast with any other city that has reduced its operations to a greater or lesser extent. Jerez has lost 25% of passengers and Santiago 16.8%. In Santander, the decrease in passengers has been minimal with a 0.3% fall and in Asturias it has been contained in 1.7% decrease. In spite of everything, the average in reducing operations has been 10%.

And in the future? Who knows. Because Ryanair continues to tension the rope And only a few weeks ago that he threatened to continue withdrawing routes if from Aena they do not yield to his demands regarding airport rates. A declaration of intentions of which Aena defends himself ensuring that these are very low in regional airports, almost testimonial.

The truth is that Ryanair has operated, Also in Spainwith regional aid disguised as advertising campaigns which has allowed him to hold routes that were not filled. In his march he has applied that same strategy On routes that, for example, have Morocco as destination And in which nobody is traveling.

Photo | Marty Sakin

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