Ryanair is set to increase its seat offer in Spain by 0.5% during the 2025-2026 winter season , translating to an additional 100,000 seats . This comes at a time when the airline has been consolidating operations by removing flights from several regional airports in response to rising Aena airport rates. However, the latest decision reflects a strategic shift aimed at focusing the fleet on the most profitable destinations .
Cuts and Capacity Reductions. The airline will reduce its capacity in northern cities and island regions, yet the overall balance remains positive. This includes repositioning two aircraft previously based in Santiago de Compostela to Malaga and Alicante , ensuring that they stay within Spanish airspace. The aim behind this adjustment is for Ryanair to maximize aircraft utilization and profitability, especially in larger tourist cities where demand is consistently higher. Notably, prior to this, Ryanair had eliminated 800,000 seats across various airports, such as Santiago , Vigo , Tenerife Norte , and Zaragoza , leading to significant job losses for affected staff.
Beneficiaries of Growth. The Mediterranean regions will particularly benefit from this increase. Airports in Malaga , Alicante , and Valencia are expected to see a rise in traffic, with some estimates indicating growth rates between 10% and 14% . For example, Alicante is projected to exceed 10 million seats , a significant increase fueled by projections from the Costa Blanca Tourism Board, estimating an additional 4.3 million seats from Alicante-Elche alone. An event in Malaga this Thursday will kick off the announcement of Ryanair’s winter operations, attended by Mayor Francisco de la Torre , where more detailed route and frequency increases are anticipated. While Seville is expected to maintain stable offerings, it remains to be seen how the overall shifts will affect local tourism.
Regions Facing Declines. On the other hand, regions like Santiago and Vigo will experience dramatic reductions in flight capacity, with cuts of 80% and 73% , respectively. Other areas such as Asturias , Santander , and Zaragoza are also grappling with significant drops of 16% , 38% , and 45% . The Canary Islands are facing over 400,000 seat losses , with operations ceasing entirely at Tenerife North and reduced services at Gran Canaria , Lanzarote , and Fuerteventura . Even in the Balearic Islands , there’s anticipated a 6% drop during the off-peak season. Major hubs like Madrid and Barcelona will also see their capacities reduced by 3% and 5% , respectively. Ryanair has cautioned that more significant cuts could occur next summer, threatening to eliminate another million seats unless Aena reevaluates its airport fees.
Ongoing Tensions with Aena. Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson justifies these strategic resource allocations by pointing at rising airport rates as being detrimental. He stated that while personnel costs and maintenance remain consistent across countries, varying handling and airport fees ultimately dictate their operations. In light of these challenges, Michael O’Leary , Ryanair’s executive chairman, is set to visit Madrid in October to negotiate with the government about regional airport incentives . A particularly contentious issue involves a hefty 107 million euro fine imposed on the airline regarding the collection of hand luggage fees, which Ryanair claims contradicts European regulations.
Aena’s Stance. Maurici Lucena , President of Aena, has responded firmly to Ryanair’s criticisms, asserting that the airline operates based on its own decisions rather than external pressures. He emphasized that Aena will not transform its relationship with Ryanair into one of dependency, as doing so would undermine the greater Spanish airport system and its integrity.
Growth Amid Cuts. Despite the ongoing tensions and cuts, Ryanair is still moving forward with expansion plans; the airline has requested more time slots during peak hours than it had last season, indicating a continuing demand. With 46.7 million passengers served so far this year, Ryanair remains the dominant player in the Spanish market, far surpassing its closest rivals, Vueling and the Iberia group , with 33.2 million and 29.6 million passengers, respectively.
The shifts in Ryanair’s strategy indicate a complex interplay of profit maximization, regional impacts, and ongoing disputes with airport authorities, raising questions about the future of air travel in Spain. Will the impending changes foster growth in key tourist regions or exacerbate challenges in less frequented locales? Only time will tell as the 2025-2026 winter season unfolds.