Overview

• Reports say Aena intends to lift airport charges by about 6.5% from March 1, 2026, taking average fees to roughly €11.03 per passenger.
• Ryanair says higher charges make many regional routes uneconomic and warns of fewer passengers, jobs and connections in smaller Spanish markets.
• The airline indicates it may redeploy aircraft to countries such as Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary and Morocco where costs are more competitive.
• Earlier this year the carrier cut around 800,000 seats and reduced or ceased operations at several regional airports including Jerez, Valladolid, Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza, Asturias and Santander.
• Aena, which is majority state-controlled, argues the fee adjustment helps fund expansion at Madrid and Barcelona, a rationale Ryanair has called unjustified and damaging.