Ryanair is considering scrapping even more flights from a number of medium and small Spanish airports. The Irish budget airline is warning it will stop a number of routes next winter and in 2026 if operator Aena does not lower its fees, meaning Brits could face higher prices when travelling to their favourite Spanish holiday destinations.

In an interview with El Economista, the low-cost airline’s CEO Eddie Wilson said that regional airports "need low fees to stimulate growth". He continued to say that "otherwise the formula will not work", adding that the company would not invest in loss-making operations.

In January the airline, run by Michael O'Leary, announced it was to reduce its flights to Spain by 18% this year - that works out at around 800,000 seats, citing “excessive fees” from airports.

Airport fees in Spain, determined by the state-owned company Aena, have remained frozen since the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, these fees are among the lowest in Europe, averaging €10.35 (£8.74) per passenger.

However, Ryanair claims that Aena has attempted to increase charges every year despite this, especially at Spanish regional airports.

Due to this the airline will eliminate its Jerez and Valladolid operations and will remove one aircraft based in Santiago.

During the summer of 2025, Santiago will receive one fewer aircraft, and traffic will be cut at five other regional airports—Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%), and Santander (-5%).

Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson previously said: "Aena's excessive airport charges and lack of viable incentives for growth continue to harm Spain's regional airports, limiting their growth and leaving huge areas of airport capacity unused."

However, it added 1.5 million seats at popular larger airports such as Madrid, Malaga and Alicante, according to El Economista.

A spokesperson for Aena declined to comment, though the company in January called Ryanair's arguments "spurious" and insisted its fees were among the lowest in the region.