Ryanair CEO lashes out at Spanish minister after blackmail accusations over seat cuts in 2025

European low-cost behemoth and one of the biggest budget airlines in the world, Ryanair has pulled thousands of seats from its schedules for 2025 across several Spanish airports.

In all, seven airports will have their Ryanair services reduced, some by as little as five per cent. Others will see the exit of the budget airline entirely.

Overall, Ryanair is removing a total of 800,000 seats from the Spanish market, representing 18 per cent of its overall operations in the country. Twelve routes will be lost altogether. 

The airline says this is because of the fees imposed by Spanish airport operator Aena, which it deems ‘excessive.’ However, Aena has hit back at the airline, accusing it of ‘blackmail’ and suggesting that Ryanair is using its weight to try and get airport access for free.

"Unfortunately, this is Ryanair's modus operandi,” says Maurici Lucena, President of Aena. “In many European countries, we have seen it for years: threats, half-truths, lies...; but in the case of Spain, I honestly believe that today they have crossed the Rubicon of respect, good faith and the most basic business and institutional courtesy.”

On Wednesday, the spat escalated after Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary brought up another contentious incident.

In November 2024, the Spanish government fined five airlines for 'abusive practices' including charging passengers for carry-on luggage. Ryanair was hit with the biggest penalty of €107.8 million.

During a news conference in Brussels, O'Leary lambasted Spanish consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy, calling him "a crazy communist minister" who penalised airlines that "have no choice but to restrict carry-on bags".

Bustinduy hit back saying that "no pressure, no blackmail and no insult will stop me" in