Ryanair Slashes Spanish Seats, Expands in Middle East and Europe
Ryanair has announced significant changes to its operations in Europe, including seat cuts in Spain, fleet adjustments in Austria, and expansion plans in the Middle East and North Africa. The budget airline also provided updates on its flights and growth projections.
Ryanair is reducing its capacity in Spain this winter due to a 6.2% fee increase by AENA. The airline plans to cut 2 million flights, affecting Spanish regional airports. Meanwhile, Ryanair is moving 1 million flights from these airports to Barcelona, Madrid, Italy, and Portugal, where costs are lower.
In Austria, Ryanair is reducing its fleet in Vienna from 19 to 16 aircraft. However, CEO Michael O'Leary has identified Austria as a key location for growth, planning to station 10 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft there, contingent on lower airport fees and tax reforms. This move aims to increase passenger traffic by 70% by 2030. Ryanair also plans to expand flights from regional airports in Sweden, Hungary, and Italy.
Ryanair has resumed flights to Jordan and is considering Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria for future expansion. The airline is also increasing its fleet in Bratislava, Tirana, and Italy.
Initially, Ryanair planned to carry 250 million passengers in 2023 but now expects around 206 million. The airline operates a fleet of over 320 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Ryanair prefers the Boeing 737 MAX 10 over the MAX 8-200 due to its larger size and fuel efficiency. The MAX 10 is expected to be certified in the first half of 2026 and delivered in January-May 2027.
Ryanair's strategic adjustments in Spain and Austria aim to mitigate increased costs. The airline's expansion plans in the Middle East and North Africa, along with fleet growth in Europe, signal Ryanair's commitment to continued growth and efficiency.
