Ryanair Slashes Spain Flights After Airport Fee Dispute

Ryanair plans to cut nearly one million seats across Spain this winter, targeting regional airports in response to rising operating costs.

The airline’s move follows a heated dispute with Spanish airport operator Aena, which recently announced a 6.5% hike in airport charges. While major routes to Madrid, Barcelona, and top holiday destinations remain unaffected, smaller regional hubs face severe reductions, leaving passengers uncertain about their winter travel options.

Fee Hike Sparks Major Airline Cuts

The 6.5% fee increase will add around 59p per passenger from March 2026, the largest hike in years according to Spanish media. Ryanair argues this makes operations unprofitable at smaller airports, citing earlier cuts of 800,000 seats during summer and the closure of routes to Jerez and Valladolid. The carrier also reduced capacity at Santiago and five other airports. Aena, however, accuses Ryanair of “blackmail,” claiming the airline has long used threats and ultimatums to pressure operators across Europe.

Strikes Add to Spanish Travel Turmoil

The flight cuts coincide with strikes hitting 12 Spanish airports, involving baggage handlers from Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group. Unions accuse the company of labour rights breaches and exploitative overtime practices, with protests planned throughout the year. Airports in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife South are among the most affected. At Madrid’s Barajas Airport alone, 22 days of strike action have been announced, further straining Spain’s aviation sector.

Wider Impact Across Europe

This isn’t the first time Ryanair has cut services due to rising charges. In France, it has already axed flights to Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg following the government’s decision to increase its “solidarity tax” on airfares. At the same time, Ryanair is toughening its luggage enforcement policies, raising bonuses for staff who intercept oversized bags from €1.50 to €2.50 each. While the airline insists on investing only where returns are viable, the cuts in Spain have alarmed tourism-reliant regions such as Majorca and the Canary Islands, where leaders warn of “drastic consequences” for visitor numbers.