Ryanair announced on September 3 that it will cut 1 million seats in Spain for the upcoming winter season, closing its base in Santiago de Compostela and withdrawing entirely from Vigo and Tenerife Norte. The airline will also reduce capacity at Zaragoza, Santander, Asturias, Vitoria, and airports in the Canary Islands, citing operational adjustments.
The move affects secondary airports across Spain and comes as other carriers step in to cover parts of the market. Iberia Express, Vueling, and Wizz Air have announced additional capacity on some routes, though Wizz Air has also confirmed it will reduce services with four routes to Spain being withdrawn.
Wizz Air Confirms Vienna Exit
Wizz Air has disclosed it will gradually close its base in Vienna, citing increased costs and airport fees as the main reason. In a statement, the airline said the decision follows “a strategic review of its operations and fleet distribution.” It added that “since the creation of the Wizz Air base in Vienna, costs and airport charges have increased considerably,” making the base “incompatible with the airline’s low-cost business model.”
The closure will be implemented in two phases. Two aircraft and routes to Bilbao and London Gatwick will be removed on October 26, 2025. The three remaining aircraft and all other routes will cease on March 15, 2026. Wizz Air currently connects Vienna to four Spanish destinations: Barcelona, Málaga, Tenerife, and Bilbao.
Passenger Options and Route Alternatives
Wizz Air confirmed it will contact passengers booked on flights beyond the suspension dates. The carrier will offer full refunds in WIZZ credits or rebookings on alternative Wizz Air flights. Travelers to Vienna from Spain will still have options despite the reductions. Barcelona–Vienna is served by Ryanair, Vueling, Iberia, and Austrian Airlines; Málaga–Vienna by Ryanair and Austrian Airlines; and Tenerife Sur–Vienna also by Ryanair and Austrian Airlines.
The loss of Vienna–Bilbao leaves fewer alternatives. Passengers will need to connect through hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, or Amsterdam to reach the Austrian capital. Industry analysts note that the withdrawal highlights ongoing challenges for airlines balancing low-cost models against rising airport costs and changing travel demand in Europe.
Ryanair’s winter capacity cuts in Spain further illustrate the shifting airline landscape. Secondary airports, which often rely on budget carriers for connectivity, face particular strain when operators reduce or withdraw services. The closure of Santiago de Compostela’s Ryanair base and complete withdrawal from Vigo and Tenerife Norte will significantly affect passenger traffic in those regions during the winter months.
In response, Iberia Express, Vueling, and other competitors are seeking to capture displaced demand, with capacity adjustments already announced. However, whether these measures can offset the loss of 1 million seats remains uncertain as the winter season approaches.
The announcements by Ryanair and Wizz Air underscore a broader trend in European aviation, where low-cost carriers are consolidating operations and withdrawing from markets where profitability is challenged by infrastructure costs and competition. While major airports remain well served, smaller and regional facilities face reduced connectivity, affecting both leisure and business travelers.
