Ryanair is implementing significant flight reductions from a key Spanish airport, attributing the cuts to what it describes as neglect and excessive fee increases by the country's airport operator. The budget airline will decrease its summer capacity at Girona airport in the Costa Brava region by 11%, marking the first decline since the pre-pandemic era.
Flight Reductions and New Routes
During the summer season, which spans from March to the end of October, Ryanair will operate 34 routes to 13 countries from Girona. This includes a newly introduced connection to Bucharest, Romania. Girona airport, which handled over two million passengers in 2025, is frequently utilized as an alternative gateway for travelers heading to Barcelona, offering a convenient option for tourists and locals alike.
Fee Increases and Economic Impact
Ryanair has criticized Aena, Spain's airport operator, for raising airport fees by 10% since 2024. The airline warns that a proposed 21% increase by 2031 could severely damage air connectivity, tourism, and employment across Spain. In response, Ryanair has urged the CNMC (National Markets and Competition Commission) and the Ministry of Transport to reject these price hikes to foster growth for airlines nationwide.
Growth Plans and Government Inaction
In 2024, Ryanair presented plans to Spanish President Sánchez for a fifth aircraft based in Girona, aiming for a 42% growth in operations. The carrier expressed willingness to expand in Girona if costs become more competitive. Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair's spokesperson in Spain, stated, "While Ryanair also aims to grow at Catalan regional airports, Aena's flawed airport charges system is hindering Reus's potential for off-season growth and impacting Girona's capacity, which will decrease this summer for the first time since the pre-Covid period."
She added, "Ryanair had ambitious growth plans for Catalonia's regional airports, where it could have based a fifth aircraft in Girona, a new base in Reus, and achieved unprecedented growth under competitive conditions. However, we are still awaiting a response from the Spanish government, which has no plan to fix a system that continues to line Aena's pockets while draining regional airports."
Broader Context and Previous Cuts
This move follows Ryanair's earlier decision to axe more than 1.2 million seats from its Spanish flight schedule as part of an ongoing battle against regional airport fees. The airline's stance highlights a broader conflict between low-cost carriers and airport operators over pricing structures and their impact on aviation growth and regional economies.
