Ryanair will leave the Azores with a defined date, putting an end to all low-cost connections between the archipelago and several Portuguese and European cities. The company officially gave the date and explained the reasons that led it to suspend the operation.
According to the carrier, airport taxes charged at Portuguese airports and the lack of government intervention are behind the departure. The decision marks the end of a decade of continuous operations in one of Europe’s most remote regions.
From March 29, 2026, there will be no more Ryanair flights to and from the Azores. In , the company directly pointed to the conditions imposed by ANA, which holds the concession for national airports, considering that the fees charged are too high and that there are no measures that encourage the growth of low-cost aviation.
Ryanair also regrets the lack of responses from the Portuguese Government, at a time when other European countries are reducing fees to attract more operations.
Company holds fees responsible and accuses lack of action
According to the company, ANA’s monopoly allowed airport fees to increase significantly, without compensation in terms of competitiveness or growth in connectivity.
The carrier also recalls that air navigation fees rose 120 percent after the pandemic and that the introduction of an additional fee of 2 euros per passenger further increased costs. In Ryanair’s view, these measures alienate low-cost companies and create artificial obstacles to the development of island regions.
The company emphasizes that ANA did not present any concrete plan to reinforce low-cost connectivity with the Azores and argues that the lack of competition directly penalizes residents and tourists. The critical tone extended to the Portuguese Government, which, in the company’s opinion, should intervene to ensure that strategic infrastructures primarily serve the public interest.
End of direct connections with Lisbon, Porto and European capitals
With the departure, the Azores will lose low-cost direct flights to Lisbon and Porto, but also international connections to London and Brussels. The company points out that these flights played an important role in reducing prices over the last decade and opening up the archipelago’s tourist market to travelers looking for economical solutions.
The decision leaves residents dependent on operators with higher tariffs and reduces the supply available throughout the year. The impact is especially felt in a region where aviation is essential, both for access to the mainland and for the local economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism.
Island region loses one of the main low-cost operators
The end of Ryanair’s operations in the Azores may also have an effect on the region’s position on the map of international routes.
At a time when several European destinations are competing to attract low-cost companies, the departure of an operator of this size could affect the visibility of the Azores in foreign markets.
The decision opens a new debate on the cost of airport taxes in Portugal and the need for differentiated policies for outermost regions. Ryanair thus ends a ten-year presence, leaving it open how the lack of low-cost connections to the archipelago will be compensated.
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