Ryanair has announced it will reduce its capacity at a Spanish airport popular with Brits for the first time since before Covid.

The budget airline has blamed Spanish airport operator Aena’s “monopoly pricing structure” in a statement and called on the local government to reject its “price hikes” which Ryanair claims have hindered growth in the area. The airline has slammed Aena for charging similar fees at small regional airports as at larger hubs.

While Ryanair will make small increases in capacity at Barcelona and Reus airports, capacity for Girona flights will be cut by 11%. Ryanair said in a statement that Aena has increased charges by 10% and is proposing a further 21% rise by 2031.

Ryanair will operate 12 routes and 70 weekly flights from Reus in 2026, and the airport, which is close to the popular Spanish resort of Salou, will have extra flights to the UK and Ireland in the summer months.

While it will offer 160 weekly flights to and from Girona airport, including a new Bucharest route, Ryanair confirmed:” Girona’s capacity will unfortunately decline this summer for the first time since pre-Covid due to Aena’s determination to abandon the regions.”

Girona airport is just over an hour’s drive north of Barcelona and is used by passengers visiting the city as well as those staying in Costa Brava destinations such as Lloret De Mar and Tossa De Mar.

Ryanair offers a year-round London-Stansted route to Girona, as well as seasonal flights to the airport from Belfast–International, Birmingham, Bournemouth,Bristol, East Midlands. Leeds-Bradford, and Manchester.

A spokesperson for Aena said: “To undertake the investments proposed for the 2027–2031 period, Aena has proposed an average annual increase in airport fees which, in the case of Girona–Costa Brava Airport, would be 35 cents, and would be reduced to 25 cents if the incentives are applied.”

Ryanair says it would still like to grow its capacity at Girona and Reus if there were “fewer and more competitive costs.” In 2024, airline representatives presented a plan to Spain’s President Pedro Sánchez for a fifth aircraft to be based at Girona and a new base at Reus, but these plans have yet to come into fruition.

Ryanair’s Head of Communications and spokesperson in Spain, Alejandra Ruiz, said in a statement: “Aena’s failed charge system is undermining Reus’ potential to grow off-peak and impacting Girona’s capacity, which will decline this summer for the first time since pre-Covid.

“Ryanair had exciting growth plans for Catalonia’s regional airports, where it could have delivered a 5th aircraft in Girona, a new base in Reus and unprecedented growth at both airports under competitive conditions beneficial for all airlines – however, we are still yet to hear back from the Spanish Govt, who have no plan to fix a system that continues filling Aena’s pockets while emptying regional airports.

“If AENA’s proposal to increase charges by another 21% by 2031 is approved, it will further damage air connectivity, tourism and jobs across Spain, as airline capacity will inevitably migrate to lower-cost airports elsewhere in Europe.”

Last year, Ryanair announced it would be cutting 1.2 million seats to regional Spanish airports due to objections over fees. This included stopping all flights to Asturias Airport in the north of the country.

At the time, Ryanair said: ”Aena’s monopoly approach to pricing is that small underused Regional airports should charge similar rates as busy main airports like Madrid, Barcelona, Palma and Malaga.

“As a result, Ryanair is switching seat capacity to these bigger Spanish airports (where passenger demand and air fares are higher). When faced with high fees at Regional airports, Ryanair has moved to lower cost airports elsewhere in Morocco, Italy, Croatia, Albania, and Sweden, where Govts are abolishing Enviro Taxes and lowering Airport fees.”

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