Ryanair has filed a formal appeal against Aena, the company behind most airports in Spain, regarding its attempt to circumvent the Spanish aviation authority (DGAC) 2021 ruling. This ruling imposed a 5-year freeze on airport charges across Spanish airports.
According to Ryanair DAC’s CEO, Eddie Wilson, “Aena’s attempt to circumvent the 5-year charge freeze imposed by the Spanish Govt. in 2021 runs counter to government policy to support growth.” Wilson argues that the freeze was a vital decision that positioned Spain competitively, and Aena’s potential charge increase could harm this position.
Aena has not yet publicly responded to Ryanair’s appeal, and it is unclear what the potential legal implications may be.
The original 5-year charge freeze was cited as a critical factor in the post-Covid recovery in Spain. It contributed to the growth of air connectivity, tourism, and employment in the country. However, Aena’s move to increase charges could affect every airport in Spain, including areas like the Canary and Balearic Islands, where air travel is a key component of local economies.
Ryanair states that the increase in charges would risk its growth in Spain, which saw a 12% expansion this summer alone, operating 40 million seats across 740 routes. They argue this could impact direct and indirect jobs in the tourism sector, crucial to the Spanish economy.
The airline’s appeal calls on the Spanish Council of Ministers and the Spanish Regulator (CNMC) to protect the 2021 ruling, which aimed to increase Spain’s competitiveness through a freeze in charges until 2027.
