Spanish airports have been experiencing a tumultuous ride recently, with Ryanair taking the spotlight. The Irish airline has strategically shifted operations to smaller regional airports , leveraging these moves as a bargaining tool against airport fees. Ryanair has threatened, and in some cases actually ceased operations, at several airports including Valladolid , demonstrating its commitment to negotiating lower rates. However, this shift has opened doors for other carriers eager to fill the gaps left behind.
What’s Happening
AENA, the public entity responsible for managing Spain’s airports, announced a plan to increase airport rates by 6.5% starting March 2026. This means the maximum fee per traveler will rise from €10.35 to €11.03—a nominal increase of 68 cents. Ryanair’s response was nothing short of explosive. Through various public statements, including remarks from its CEO Michael O’Leary, the airline labeled the rate hike as unjustified , arguing that it would undermine the competitiveness of regional airports against their European counterparts. Ryanair contends that AENA operates as a monopoly , disregarding the interests of travelers and regional connectivity.
Affected Airports
AENA justifies the fee increase as a necessity to fund an Investment Plan of approximately €13 billion aimed at modernizing the airport network amid expected growth in demand. This has sparked accusations from AENA officials that Ryanair is blackmailing the country, using the threat of pulling out of regional airports as leverage. In retaliation, Ryanair has decided to cut back on 1 million seats for its Christmas 2025 campaign, reducing service to various regional airports that heavily rely on Ryanair for connectivity.
| Airport | Capacity Cuts for Winter 2025 & 2026 |
|---|---|
| Santiago | Base closure (two fewer aircraft, 80% less capacity) |
| Jerez | Closing |
| Valladolid | Closing |
| Tenerife Norte | Closing |
| Vigo | Closing |
| Santander | -38% |
| Zaragoza | Closing |
| Asturias | -16% |
| Vitoria | -2% |
| Canary Islands | -10% |
Government Perspective
Despite Ryanair’s significant presence, the Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility , Óscar Puente , remains undeterred. He asserted that the departure of Ryanair would not lead to a substantial impact , suggesting that new airlines would fill the void. His famous remark, “to dead king, king on,” reflects confidence in the resilience of the market. Indeed, airlines like Vueling have already announced they will step in to take over routes abandoned by Ryanair, citing immediate plans to bolster services in key cities like Santiago and Tenerife Norte .
In addition to Vueling, other carriers such as Iberia Express and Wizz Air are also gearing up to capitalize on Ryanair’s exit. Reports suggest that Wizz Air plans to launch 40 new routes by March 2026 and increase capacity by up to 15% in Santiago and 11% in Tenerife Norte . The rise of these companies showcases a promising response to the gaps left by Ryanair.
Competition from Rail
The rise of high-speed trains is another factor shaping the landscape. Cities like Santiago and Vigo are seeing increased rail connectivity, putting them in a stronger position against air travel. While Asturias still faces challenges, new rail sections are planned to bolster competition. However, the Canary Islands remain exempt from this competition, as Ryanair has announced a reduction of 400,000 seats in winter and the cancellation of 36 routes . Now, it is up to carriers like Vueling, Iberia Express, and Binter to demonstrate their capability to serve the region and fill the void that Ryanair is leaving.
In the end, while Ryanair has effectively used AENA as a bargaining chip, its withdrawal may provide an unexpected opportunity for other airlines. With the rage against increased rates, airlines eager to fill the gap are surfacing, signaling a changing landscape for Spanish air travel.