Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Michael O’Leary is the boss of RYANAIR. He announced that he will be cutting 1.2 millions seats from regional airports in Spain by 2026, including all flights to Asturias.
The latest salvo is the latest in the ongoing battle between Aena, the Spanish airport operator and Irish airline Air Ireland over regional airport charges
Michael O’Leary is the CEO of Aena. He said that Aena was damaging to tourism and jobs in these areas, and that charges were high. We will return if they are reduced.
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In a press conference held on Wednesday, he announced that an additional 200,000 seats will be cut in addition to 800,000. He eliminated those seats last summer from regional airports.
Three million people will be cut from the workforce between 2025-2026.
Ryanair is no longer operating in Jerez, Valladolid Vigo, and Tenerife Norte.
The company has announced an increase in winter seating of 600,000. This is for larger airports, such as Madrid and Barcelona.
O’Leary claimed that his company wanted to grow in Spain. However, it would not be able to do so in regional airports owing to policies of Aena and the Spanish Government.
He attacked the government for refusing to reverse the 6% regional airport tax increase next year or reduce rates by 50% in order to attract more traffic.
Michael O’Leary also blasted the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy who ‘should resign’ for his incompetence.
The attack followed news that the European Commission had opened proceedings against Spain over fines of millions of euros imposed on low-cost airlines like Ryanair for hand luggage charges.
O’Leary welcomed the move and said that Spanish laws must be adapted to EU legislation and stated that the fines were ‘illegal’.
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