Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary has warned that the airline may cut an additional 1 million seats from flights to Spain next summer if airport operator Aena does not reduce its charges.
The warning follows cuts of 800,000 seats this summer and 1 million seats already withdrawn for the upcoming winter season.
The low-cost carrier is pressing the Spanish government, which holds a 51% stake in Aena, to lower regional airport fees, arguing that current charges undermine competitiveness. O’Leary told the Financial Times he intends to return to Madrid in two weeks to confirm further reductions, criticizing Spain’s pricing structure as inconsistent across airports.
Dispute Over Airport Tariffs
At the center of the conflict is Aena’s plan to raise tariffs by 6.5% from 2026, which would bring charges to €0.68 per passenger. Ryanair maintains that such costs are unsustainable for smaller airports and weaken the growth potential of Spain’s aviation market. O’Leary compared regional airports to “Mickey Mouse” facilities that should not be subject to the same charges as major hubs like Barcelona.
Eddie Wilson, another chief executive of Ryanair, previously acknowledged that “the best years of growth of Ryanair in Spain are over.” The carrier is shifting capacity away from airports it views as less competitive under the current tariff framework, while maintaining strong presence in larger European markets.
Spanish Government Pushback
The Spanish government has rejected Ryanair’s demands, labeling the strategy as “blackmail” and “extortion.” Transport Minister Óscar Puente defended Aena’s planned increase, arguing it is minor compared with Ryanair’s own fare hikes. He noted that Aena’s €0.68 per passenger charge is significantly lower than the 21% average rise in Ryanair ticket prices over the past year.
Puente added that Ryanair tends to shift flights between airports rather than reducing overall capacity in Spain, suggesting that seat availability in the country will continue to rise despite the airline’s threats.
Broader Tensions With Regulators
The tariff dispute adds to Ryanair’s ongoing clashes with Spanish authorities. Earlier this year, Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy imposed a €107 million fine on the airline for charging passengers for carry-on luggage. O’Leary responded by calling the minister “an idiot” and “crazy,” and warned ticket prices in Spain could rise further if the fine is upheld.
O’Leary also suggested that the European Commission may launch infringement proceedings against Spain over the penalty, escalating the confrontation beyond national borders. The airline is simultaneously battling public perception while lobbying to protect its operating model across Europe.
EU Pressure and Next Steps
O’Leary is scheduled to meet European Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas to raise concerns about Spain’s regulatory stance. The move has angered Minister Bustinduy, who has unsuccessfully sought a similar meeting with the commissioner for months. Bustinduy criticized the decision, saying it undermines Spain’s institutional standing in the face of Ryanair’s campaign against the government.
“It surprises me that the Transport Commissioner receives the Ryanair magnate before the Government of Spain, especially after the campaign Ryanair has launched against Spain,” said Bustinduy in remarks on Thursday. He called for an urgent high-level meeting with Brussels to defend Spain’s position.
The standoff highlights the deepening rift between Europe’s largest low-cost airline and one of its key tourism markets. With Spain reliant on international arrivals and Ryanair seeking cost reductions, the outcome of negotiations could shape both flight availability and fares in the coming seasons.
