Ryanair has canceled thousands of flights into Spain over a dispute about airport fees. The airline claimed that ‘excessive fees’ imposed by Spanish airport operator Aena prompted the move.
Ryanair will stop flying to the airports in southern Jerez and northern Valladolid, withdraw one aircraft based in Santiago and reduce traffic at five other regional airports. The Telegraph reports that Aena has criticized the airline for cancelling the flights. It accused Ryanair of “blackmail” and trying to force it to grant free airport access.
‘Unfortunately this is Ryanair’s modus operandi. In many countries, we have seen it for years: threats, half-truths, lies…,’ Aena’s president said in a statement.
“I honestly believe they have crossed the Rubicon in respect, good will and the most basic institutional and business courtesy.”
Ryanair announced it would reduce its traffic in Spain by 18%, cutting around 800,000 seats on 12 routes, due to Aena’s ‘excessive airport fees’, which, it claimed, were harming regional Spanish Airports and limiting growth.
It is not yet known if UK flights will be affected. Ryanair has cut thousands of flights from Spain due to a dispute over airport fees.
It comes after the budget airline was handed a £90million fine by Spain’s consumer rights ministry last year over ‘abusive practices’ like levying excessive bag fees and other extra charges, the Telegraph reports.
Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair Global, retaliated by telling Spanish media that Pablo Bustinduy, a ‘crazy communist’ minister, believed passengers could take ‘all the baggage they want’. O’Leary, however, said ‘they can’t’.
Aena said the fees came to £8.60 per passenger at most of Spain’s airports, with the operator dropping the price at 17 regional airports to just £1.66 per passenger in October to make them more attractive destinations for airlines.
Ryanair denied that the fees were the lowest in Europe. It said that operators in Italy, Poland and other countries offer even lower prices. Ryanair has ceased all flights to Valladolid, leaving only Binter Canarias to fly to Gran Canaria two times a week.
This summer, the airline will reduce traffic to Vigo and Santiago by 61 percent, Zaragoza by 20%, Asturias, by 11%, and Santander, by 5%.
Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Santander, Santiago, and Vigo. Manchester and Edinburgh also fly to Santiago. It is unclear if any of these routes will be affected by the cuts.
Ryanair is the sole airline that flies from the UK to Santander. Cancellations would limit travel options for travellers.
It comes after Ryanair was handed a £90million fine by Spain’s consumer rights ministry last year over ‘abusive practices’ like levying excessive bag fees and other extra charges (file image)
The Telegraph reported that ‘anyone who relies on these routes to avoid Spain or to get off the beaten path is likely to be disappointed’. Rhys Jones works for the aviation travel website Head for Points.
As competition decreases, customers may be forced to take more expensive and indirect routes. Aena has not backed down in the face of Ryanair’s actions. Aena has issued a statement in which it said that Ryanair should calm down, abandon its well-known and mendacious business and communications strategy. It is difficult not to interpret this as an attempt by Ryanair to blackmail Aena and the region, or even the Spanish people.
This comes after Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson urged the Spain’s National Authority for Markets and Competition Aena’s fee increases for 2024 will be cancelled to align them with Government’s 5-year fee freeze.
Without urgent action, Spain runs the risk of losing further capacity and investments to more competitive market, leaving regional airports empty while Spain’s competition thrives, he said in a press release.
