Ryanair will expand its operations at Valencia Airport for the upcoming winter season, adding capacity and new connections even as Spain’s government and Aena finalize details of a €400 million expansion project.
The airline plans to offer 2.1 million seats and operate 50 routes to and from Valencia between October 26 and March 29, underscoring its confidence in the region’s year-round competitiveness.
The low-cost carrier’s decision comes amid delays in the long-discussed airport expansion and ongoing consultations with airlines. Despite other carriers and local business groups calling for urgent upgrades to the terminal, Ryanair said it does not view the project as immediately necessary, citing continued potential for growth within existing infrastructure.
Winter Growth Despite Expansion Uncertainty
According to Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain, Valencia remains a “strong” base that performs well throughout the year. She said, “Valencia is one of those destinations that proves to be competitive all year round and where traffic works both in summer and winter.” The airline expects an 8% increase in available seats compared to the same winter period last year, raising weekly frequencies from 239 to 260.
New connections will include routes to Poznan in Poland, Pescara in Italy, and Edinburgh in Scotland, each operating twice weekly. These routes, initially introduced during the summer, will now continue through the winter schedule. Ryanair projects it will close 2025 with approximately 5.3 million passengers carried through Valencia, maintaining its position as the airport’s leading airline with a 45% market share.
Ryanair currently bases eight aircraft in Valencia and continues to invest in operational expansion while emphasizing efficiency over infrastructure changes. Ruiz said the airline supports improvements that “allow for greater efficiency” but confirmed that Ryanair “has not proactively requested” the airport expansion proposed by Aena and the Spanish government.
Pullback from Other Spanish Airports
The airline’s commitment to Valencia contrasts sharply with its decision to withdraw from several other regional Spanish airports, including Santander, Zaragoza, Asturias, Santiago, and Tenerife Norte, citing rising airport fees planned for 2026. Despite the withdrawal, Ryanair will maintain a connection to Tenerife through Tenerife-South and continue flying to Santiago, albeit with reduced frequencies of four flights per week.
Ruiz noted that Valencia, along with Alicante and Malaga, will absorb much of the capacity removed from smaller regional airports. “Reducing capacity at regional airports does not mean we are leaving Spain. On the contrary, we want to continue growing,” she said.
As other low-cost competitors like Wizz Air increase their presence in Valencia, Ryanair does not view the expansion as a threat. Ruiz described Wizz Air’s growth as complementary rather than competitive, saying both carriers can coexist and contribute to the region’s continued rise as a major hub for affordable European travel.
With record traffic at Manises and growing regional demand, Ryanair’s expansion reinforces Valencia’s role as one of Spain’s most dynamic and resilient aviation markets, even as broader infrastructure investments remain under discussion.
