Ryanair pulls Canary Islands bases, hurting La Palma's economy

Cancels 400,000 seats and 36 direct connections between the Peninsula and the Canary Islands

Ryanair announced today the closure of its Tenerife North base for the upcoming winter season (2025‑2026) as part of a broader reduction of its activity at regional airports across Spain. The airline will also cancel flights from other airports such as Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Jerez, and Valladolid.

In total, Ryanair will cut one million seats in Spain: 600,000 at mainland airports (a 41 % drop) and 400,000 in the Canary Islands (an estimated 10 % decline). This will affect operations linking Fuerteventura with the rest of the country.

“The decision is a response to the 6.6 % increase in airport fees imposed by Aena for 2026, which we consider excessive and uncompetitive,” said Eddie Wilson, Ryanair’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Aena has failed the Spanish regions, whose airports operate at almost 70 % of their capacity.”

Wilson added that Ryanair’s fleet will be redirected to more profitable airports in markets such as Italy, Morocco, Croatia, Sweden, and Hungary, where conditions are more competitive.

Two Million Seats to Be Shifted Annually to Italy or Morocco

Ryanair will cancel a total of 36 direct connections between mainland Spain and the Canary Islands, resulting in the diversion of two million seats per year to Italy, Morocco, Croatia, and Albania.

“Ryanair remains committed to Spain, but we cannot justify continued investment in airports whose growth is blocked by excessive, uncompetitive fees,” Wilson affirmed.

The airline is once again urging the CNMC and the Spanish government to reject “excessive fee hikes” and to extend the current fee freeze in order to protect regional connectivity, tourism, and employment.