Budget airline Ryanair is slashing routes across Europe, including 12 routes in Spain, due to increased airport taxes and surcharges. The airline cites excessive charges and lack of workable growth incentives as reasons for the reductions, which will impact travel to popular destinations in Spain, Italy, Austria, Denmark, and France.
Ryanair has announced the cancellation of numerous flights to major European destinations, including 12 routes within Spain , in response to recent increases in airport taxes and surcharges. This strategic shift, aimed at mitigating the financial impact of these charges, will see a significant reduction in Ryanair 's Spanish summer 2025 traffic by 18%, resulting in the loss of approximately 800,000 seats.
Specific routes affected include the closure of operations in Jerez and Valladolid, as well as a reduction in aircraft based at Santiago, with a corresponding decrease in traffic at Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%) and Santander (-5%). Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson has expressed concern over these escalating charges, stating that they are hindering the growth of regional airports in Spain, leaving a substantial amount of capacity underutilized. However, it is anticipated that the average charge levied by Aena, the Spanish airport authority, for airport services will remain frozen at €10.35 per passenger as of March 1st, 2025. This news follows similar announcements from Ryanair regarding reductions in flight capacity to other European countries. Italy, Austria, Denmark, and France have all implemented or are planning to implement aviation taxes and surcharges, prompting Ryanair to scale back operations in these regions. The airline has already confirmed the removal of one aircraft from Rome's Fiumicino airport for summer 2025, citing municipal surcharges in Italian airports as the reason. Ryanair has also criticized Austria's €12 air traffic tax, arguing that it is damaging Austria's competitiveness as a tourist destination compared to other European countries that are abolishing aviation taxes or reducing access costs. Denmark's new 50DKK (£5.57) aviation tax, applicable to all passengers departing from Denmark, has led Ryanair to cancel all flights to and from Aalborg, while airlines like KLM, Norwegian Air, and Scandinavian Airlines will continue to operate flights to the city but with connecting flights. France's controversial aviation tax, set to more than double in 2025, has also raised concerns for Ryanair. While the French government justifies the tax as a measure of fiscal and ecological justice, Ryanair fears it will lead to further route reductions across France.
Ryanair Flights Cancellations European Destinations Spain Italy Austria Denmark France Airport Taxes Surcharges Travel Industry
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