Ryanair Unveils Summer 2026 Schedule for Catalonia: Moderate Growth Amid Criticism of Aena’s Fee Structure
Ryanair has presented its Summer 2026 flight schedule for Catalonia, projecting moderate growth in Barcelona (+2%) and Reus (+6%), while warning of a capacity drop in Girona. The airline attributes this stagnation to “uncompetitive” tariffs set by Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea (AENA) and is calling for government intervention to protect regional connectivity.
Barcelona Holds Steady, but with Limited Growth
The low-cost carrier (LCC) will continue its expansion at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, albeit at a more conservative pace than usual due to the current cost structure.
- Routes and Frequencies: The airline will operate 62 routes this summer, totaling over 590 weekly frequencies.
- New Connection: A daily service to Bratislava will be inaugurated.
- Network Reinforcement: Additional flights will be added to 22 existing routes, with a focus on destinations such as Manchester, Porto, and Milan.
Despite these figures, the company noted that growth in the Catalan capital will remain at moderate levels until the physical expansion of the airport is finalized.
Competitiveness Crisis at Regional Airports: Girona and Reus
The situation at Catalonia’s regional airports presents a landscape of contrasts and warnings from Ryanair’s leadership.
Girona: First Post-Covid Capacity Decline
For the first time since the pandemic, Girona-Costa Brava Airport will experience a decrease in seat capacity.
- Operations: The airport will feature 34 routes to 13 countries and up to 160 weekly flights.
- New Addition: A new route to Bucharest will be incorporated.
- Conflict: Ryanair criticizes AENA’s “determination to leave the regions aside,” which has blocked previous plans to base a fifth aircraft at the airfield.
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Reus: Insufficient Seasonal Growth
At Reus Airport, the airline will operate 12 routes to 5 countries with 70 weekly flights.
- Focus: Additional flights will be concentrated on the United Kingdom and Ireland during the peak season.
- Obstacle: The airline claims that excessive fees prevent addressing the seasonality of the Costa Daurada, frustrating the creation of a permanent base that would increase capacity by 67%.
Battle over DORA III and the Future of the Tourism Sector
Ryanair has escalated its grievances to the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) and the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, urging them to reject AENA’s proposal for the Airport Regulation Document (DORA III).
“If AENA’s proposal to increase charges by another 21% by 2031 is approved, airline capacity will inevitably migrate toward lower-cost airports elsewhere in Europe,” stated Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain.
A Strategic Crossroads
The company highlights a political contradiction: currently, the Government of Catalonia, the Government of Spain, and AENA are aligned under the same political party. According to Ryanair, this eliminates any institutional excuses for failing to take measures that stimulate regional growth.
The airline recalled that it presented an unprecedented growth plan in 2024 following meetings with the Prime Minister’s office. However, it laments that two years later, the response has been a 10% fee hike and the projection of further increases.
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