A recent decision by Ryanair will change the way many travelers come to a Spanish city near the Portuguese border. The closing of routes is scheduled for 2026 and is part of a broader cut of cuts that the carrier justifies with the airport rates practiced in the neighboring country, considered too high.
According to Jornal de Notícias, the city of Vigo will lose all Ryanair flights from January 2026. The Irish carrier has confirmed that it will also suspend calls to Tenerife North next winter, as far as a capacity reduction that will affect several Spanish regions.
Ended base and regional cuts
According to the same source, the company will end its base in Santiago de Compostela, where it maintained two aircraft, representing an estimated investment loss of 171.5 million euros for Galicia. In addition, Valladolid and Jerez airports will remain closed up to at least the winter of 2025.
The newspaper writes that the carrier will reduce its operation by Spanish regional airports by 41%, which corresponds to 600,000 places, and 10% in the Canary Islands, equivalent to 400,000 seats.
Adds the publication that the global cut in Spain will surround the 16% of capacity, translating into loss of connectivity, tourism and jobs. The company estimates that many routes become economically unfeasible compared to the current conditions imposed by the AENA airport manager.
It refers to the same source that, in the Canarys alone, there will be 36 direct links with the Spanish continent, diverting about two million annual places to other destinations, such as Italy, Morocco, Croatia and Albania.
Accusations to Spanish politics
Explains what Eddie Wilson, Ryanair executive, accused the Spanish government of promoting an “anti-tailism” policy, not reducing fares at regional airports and allowing 6.62% increases already confirmed for next year. According to the official, this strategy endangers the feasibility of several airports, which are underused.
Bet on other routes
The company confirms that it will continue to grow at airports where rates are considered more competitive, such as Malaga and Alicante. For the rest, it maintains the forecast to redirect the fleet to countries that offer more favorable investment conditions.
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