RYANAIR has announced it will be closing one of its Spanish bases and axing all flights to two holiday destinations.
The budget airline has revealed that it will close its Santiago base and cancel all flights to Vigo and Tenerife North in Spain.
Ryanair’s Santiago base will close, where two aircrafts are currently based[/caption]
Two aircraft are currently based in Santiago and as a result of the base closing, there will be a loss of £149million investment in the Galicia region.
All the flights to Vigo will be suspended from January 2026 and to Tenerife North at the beginning of this winter season.
In addition, Ryanair will keep its Valladolid and Jerez bases closed, as well as reduce capacity in Asturias by 16 per cent, Santander by 38 per cent, Zaragoza by 45 per cent and Vitoria by two per cent.
An additional 36 connections between regional Spain and the Canary Islands will be axed, with two million seats per year diverted to Italy, Morocco, Croatia and Albania.
Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson and Ryanair’s head of communications Alejandra Ruiz announced the new cuts today at a press conference in Madrid, adding that it will reduce 16 per cent of its capacity across the country.
According to Europa Press, Eddie Wilson said: “Ryanair remains committed to Spain, but we cannot justify continued investment in airports whose growth is being stymied by excessive and uncompetitive charges.”
The airline is once again urging the Spanish regulator CNMC and the Spanish government to reject the “excessive rate increases” and extend the current freeze on fees.
The operator has made the decision in response to Aena – the state-controlled airport operator in the country – increasing its fees for airlines.
Aena charges airlines a fee for using its airports and services including the use of terminals, runways, security, aircraft and baggage handling.
The most recent increase means that fees for airlines will go up by 6.5 per cent in 2026.
The additional charge is set to partially fund the expansion of Aena’s main airports in Madrid and Barcelona.
However, it could result in flight prices rising for British holidaymakers, as airlines look to offset the fees.
Back in January, Ryanair cut 800,000 seats across 12 routes, including both domestic Spanish routes and international flights.
At the time, Eddie Wilson, said: “Aena’s excessive airport charges and lack of viable incentives for growth continue to harm Spain’s regional airports, limiting their growth and leaving huge areas of airport capacity unused.”
Later in April, the airline commented that there may be even more cuts in the future, warning Aena that it will stop routes next winter if it does not lower its fees.
Aena’s fees were increased by 4.09 per cent last year, as a result of inflation.
Sun Travel has contacted Ryanair for comment.
Another European airport is at risk of closure as Ryanair decides to scrap all flights.
Plus, back in March, Ryanair scrapped another UK flight just days after axing routes to Denmark and Morocco.
All flights will also be suspended to Vigo and Tenerife North[/caption]