Ryanair lifts Morocco traffic by 11% as it seeks ties with AENA
The airline proposes a dialogue to stimulate regional traffic in Spain despite a series of criticisms of its model
The dispute that surfaced a few months ago between Ryanair and AENA over the rise in airport charges has taken on a new dimension. The Irish carrier has reopened the door to an agreement that would allow it to re‑orient part of its growth toward Spain in exchange for negotiating incentive programmes that could preserve—and even expand—its operations.
“We want to keep growing in Spain,” the airline said in a statement released on Thursday.
This fresh approach follows comments from AENA’s president and chief executive, Maurici Lucena, who publicly defended the tariff framework included in DORA III and accused some airlines of acting with “ignorance and bad faith” in their criticisms.
AENA forecasts an accumulated 21 % increase in airport fees for the next regulatory period, excluding inflation, to fund a new investment cycle that includes expansions and upgrades at several airports.
Ryanair argues that this policy is harming regional connectivity. According to the carrier, more than 70 % of slots at various regional airports remain unused, and the fees it deems “excessive” are pushing traffic toward other European countries that offer more aggressive incentive schemes.
After reaffirming its market‑leader position and gaining even more share, Ryanair expects its Spanish traffic to grow by less than 0.5 % this summer, while its traffic will rise by:
- 11 % in Morocco
- 9 % in Italy
- 60 % in Albania
Spain is currently Ryanair’s main market in continental Europe, handling 62 million passengers annually. The airline also has a fleet of 300 new aircraft slated for gradual introduction over the next seven years, which, depending on market conditions, could be allocated to various countries.
CEO Eddie Wilson highlighted the carrier’s ambition to target markets where access costs are falling or emerging tourism destinations, such as Morocco or Jordan.