Spain's tourism suffers fresh blow as Ryanair escalates spat over 'excessive fees'
Spain's tourism suffers fresh blow as Ryanair escalates spat over 'excessive fees'
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Spain's ever-popular tourism industry has suffered a series of blows and setbacks over the past year, despite the sun-drenched country recording its highest-ever number of international visitors, with 94 million people choosing it as their holiday destination in 2024. But with locals furious over skyrocketing rents as homes are turned into holiday lets, Spain's leaders have sought to tackle the issue with anti-tourism legislation.
The ongoing difficulties with the sector kicked up a gear last week, as Ryanair slammed Spain's aviation sector and pulled routes from key regional airports, removing around 800,000 passenger seats in 2025 over "excessive fees" slapped on the airline. While officials called the move "blackmail", Ryanair has now stepped up the spat by calling on the country's airport operator, AENA, to sell off some of its underperforming regional hubs.
The budget airline, which dominates Spain's aviation sector, gave the Minister of Transport a simple dilemma, saying in a statement: "Minister Puente has two options: he can continue to support AENA’s failed regional airports policy or he can demand a growth plan from AENA that will attract airlines. If AENA fails to grow regional airports, it should be forced to divest itself of regional airports that are currently suffering the consequences of its inaction.".
The country's airport operator, after describing Ryanair's position as blackmail, called for the Irish firm to "calm down". However, this appeal was ignored by the airline, which continued to state: "Spain’s regional governments know the value of connectivity, increased tourism and job creation, and they want action, and they want it now.".
