Travellers will find fewer low-cost options at Spanish regional airports this summer. View on euronews

A spat between Ryanair and Spain's leftist government has escalated after the Irish budget airline slashed several regional routes due to "excessive" airport fees, with CEO Michael O'Leary calling a Spanish minister a "crazy communist".

Claiming to confront 'exorbitant charges,' Ryanair has eliminated approximately 800,000 seats by 2025. Spanish authorities have labelled Ryanair's steps as manipulative, while the airline urges Spain’s airport operator AENA to shut down underperforming regional airfields.

Airport operator Aena has responded to Ryanair’s plans to cut operations in Spain by 18%, urging the airline to “calm down”.

Ryanair reduces 800,000 seats in Spain for summer 2025, citing high airport fees. Aena disputes the claims, accusing the airline of pressure tactics

Ryanair has removed around 800,000 passenger seats in 2025 due to 'excessive fees' - and has now upped the ante as it battles with Spain's airport operator

Spain's tourism clash has deepened ahead of the spring and summer holiday season - as Ryanair axes routes to the European Union holiday hotspot.

Ryanair has escalated its spat with Spain's regional airports, calling on authorities to sell failing air travel hubs and support companies with a plan for growth

It comes after European Union residents voiced their fury over the influx of Brits reaching their shores last year, with Spain at the centre of huge protests.

Ryanair has announced that it is scaling back its flight services in Spain by around 800,000 seats this summer citing “excessive fees” from airports. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Ryanair has announced seven new London-Stansted routes but wants UK airport tax scrapped saying it is stifling growth in the UK economy.

In travel news, Irish low-cost airline Ryanair announced last week that it would cancel flight routes at seven airports in Spain but it didn’t say which ones. Now we can reveal which routes it will slash.