Spanish airline comes to the rescue after Ryanair scraps a dozen routes

The Irish airline has axed 12 summer routes to Spain due to high airport charges

In a shock announcement last month, Ryanair decided to completely halt operations at two Spanish airports and reduce flights at another five, essentially axing 12 routes during the summer months and eliminating 800,000 seats.

But in a surprise move, small Spanish airline Volotea has stepped in and offered to cover all of Ryanair’s scrapped flights.

“The government should not worry, we are here," quipped Carlos Muñoz, founder and CEO of the company.

“Our vocation has always been to connect small and medium-sized cities," he added, before offering his company up to fill the gap created by the Irish carrier’s protest against increased airport fees.

Volotea specialises in flights between smaller cities and the airline has been going from strength to strength in recent years. Last year, sales grew by 17% compared to 2023 and the carrier reached a turnover of 811 million euros.

Ryanair has decided to completely cease operations at Jerez airport in Cádiz and Valladolid airport, it will withdraw one aircraft based in Santiago de Compostela and will reduce traffic in Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), Asturias (-11%) and Santander (-5%).

This means that Ryanair will reduce its capacity by 18% in Spain during the 2025 summer season, and Volotea is keen to pick up the slack.

Part of the motivation may stem from the fact that Spain’s Consumer Affairs department has just fined Volotea 1 million euros for charging passengers to carry on luggage, a law suit that totalled 179 million and involved another four airlines. Ryanair received the heaviest sanctions of 107 million euros, and as a result has unleashed a barrage of criticism against Spain’s Minister for Social Rights and Consumption.

Earlier this week, Ryanair held a press conference in Madrid during which the CEO Michael O' Leary referred to Pablo Bustinduy as the “crazy minister”. He also posed beside a cardboard cut-out of Mr Bustinduy kitted out in an orange fuzzy wig and bright red nose.

He also unveiled a new promotional poster, which features the same photo and urges customers to book their flights now “before a clown raises the prices.”

In other news: Ryanair expands Málaga Airport routes amid criticism of Aena fees

Image: Volotea

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