Ryanair to Slash 1 Million Seats in Spain Amid Fee Dispute
Ryanair is set to reduce its capacity by one million seats at Spanish airports this winter. This move intensifies an ongoing dispute with Spain’s airport operator, Aena, over increased airport fees. The airline had already cut 800,000 seats earlier this year due to similar concerns.
Aena has announced a 6.5% increase in airport fees, effective from 1 March 2026. This translates to an additional 68 cents (£0.59) per passenger, marking the largest fee increase in recent years.
Ryanair, which carries the most passengers in Spain, has criticised these hikes as “excessive” and detrimental to its low-cost model. The airline argues that such increases could price out smaller regional airports.
In response, Aena has rejected Ryanair’s complaints, accusing the airline of using “threats and half-truths” to pressure them into offering free airport access. Aena’s president stated that this is a repeated tactic used by Ryanair in multiple countries.
While Ryanair has not yet disclosed the specific airports affected, previous reductions provide some insight. Earlier this year, the airline ceased operations at Jerez and Valladolid airports and scaled back services at Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander.
The upcoming cuts are expected to affect up to one million passengers, many of whom are holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland planning winter trips to Spain.
Adding to the travel woes, strikes by baggage handlers from Azul Handling, Ryanair’s handling subsidiary, are set to disrupt operations at 12 Spanish airports.
The General Union of Workers (UGT) initiated these strikes on 15 August, citing “constant breaches” of labour rights and poor working conditions.
The walkouts will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the end of the year, potentially causing significant delays and cancellations.
In response to rising operating costs, Ryanair has implemented several cost-cutting measures. These include increasing staff incentives for identifying oversized cabin bags.
Starting in November, gate agents will earn €2.50 (£2.16) per oversized bag detected, up from €1.50 (£1.29), with the previous monthly cap of €80 being removed. Passengers bringing oversized bags to the gate currently face fees of up to £75.
CEO Michael O’Leary defended the policy, stating, “We make absolutely no apology for catching passengers who are scamming the system.”
Ryanair has warned that further cuts could follow if Aena does not reconsider its fee increases. The airline’s final list of affected Spanish airports is expected next week.
With ongoing strikes, higher costs, and fewer seats, the winter travel season looks increasingly uncertain for Ryanair passengers flying to and from Spain.
