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Ryanair reduces capacity in Spain following airport fee increases in a move that the operator calls "blackmail"

Irish airline Ryanair announced on Wednesday that it would reduce its passenger capacity for Spain by one million seats next winter in response to a fee increase announced by airport operator Aena, which it called "shameless".

Aena's CEO Maurici Lucena responded by accusing Ryanair of "self-righteousness", "rudeness", "blackmail" and greed, as the long-running conflict between the largest airline in Spain by passenger numbers and the operator of most of the country's commercial airports escalated.

Ryanair stated in a press release that the Aena fee hike of 6.5% announced for 2026 rendered some regional routes non-viable.

Eddie Wilson, CEO, Ryanair DAC, said that the monopoly airport operator had no interest in developing traffic to regional airports throughout Spain, but only wanted to concentrate on achieving record profits at Spain's largest airports.

The Irish low cost carrier announced that it would reduce capacity at regional airports on the peninsula by 600,00 seats, and in the Canary Islands 400,000 seats from late October to late March. This represents 16% its traffic at regional Airports.

Ryanair said that because it operates the majority of flights from several regional airports throughout Spain, these cuts would lead to the closures of Valladolid Airport and Jerez Airport.

Lucena stated that the slots booked by the airline at regional airports during this period are larger than what Ryanair claimed.

Aena's price increase is much lower than that of Ryanair, which has increased its ticket prices by a significant amount.

Yolanda Diaz, Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz announced on Wednesday that she would request a meeting between Ryanair's Chairman and herself. She told reporters that she would enforce the labour laws.

Ryanair announced in January that it would be cutting 800,000 seats at regional airports throughout the country during the summer.

Ryanair plans to increase its passenger numbers by at least 3% in 2026, despite the reduction of capacity in Spain.

The airline said it would redistribute some of its winter capacity to airports that are cheaper in Croatia, Hungary and Morocco, as well as Sweden. Marta Serafinko, Gdansk reporter; Inti Landauro, Jan Harvey and Inti landauro are editing this report.

(source: Reuters)