Ryanair has committed to a hefty investment in a popular Spanish city - despite slamming the country over its aviation fees. Earlier this month, the budget airline confirmed it was slashing its Spanish summer 2025 traffic by 18 per cent, with the loss of a staggering -800,000 seats, and 12 routes.
The company told the Mirror it would close its Jerez and Valladolid operations, remove one based aircraft from Santiago, and will cut traffic at five other regional airports: Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%) and Santander (-5%). It comes as CEO Eddie Wilson criticised what he describes as 'excessive airport charges and lack of workable growth incentives'.
The Mirror was told the average charge to be paid by airlines to Aena for airport services as of March 1 this year will remain frozen at just €10.35 per passenger. "This charge is among the lowest in Europe," Aena, the world's number one airport operator by passenger volume, said.
Despite to furore, Ryanair has gone ahead with its program for summer 2025 in the popular hotspot of Malaga, located in Spain's famous Costa del Sol region. It will see the airport take on a whopping 91 routes, including five new destinations: Brno, Czech Republic; Lübeck and Münster, Germany; Teesside, England and Warsaw, Poland.
The airline states its program will operate with its 18 aircrafts based in Malaga, which represents an investment of $1.8 billion (£1.4 billion). It will also support more than 4,500 local jobs and promote 'economic growth and development' in the area.
Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter. Elena Cabrera, Ryanair's Country Manager for Spain, said the airline was pleased to announce the five new 'exciting routes' that will 'offer' customers more options for memorable travel experiences during this incredible season'. "Despite the high taxes from AENA, which has contributed to cuts in other regions, Ryanair remains committed to Malaga, with 18 based planes and the generation of more than 4,500 local jobs," she added.
Austria, Italy, Denmark, and France are all in Ryanair's firing line due to aviation fees stinging the airline. It even scrapped all UK flights to and from Aalborg, after Denmark announced new aviation taxes. The new fee, which is 50DKK (£5.57), applies to all passengers departing from Denmark and will be paid for by airlines.
