Published on
September 6, 2025
Ryanair has recently announced a significant reduction in its flights to Spain, including a decrease of 400,000 seats to the Canary Islands. This cutback is a direct response to rising airport charges imposed by Aena, Spain’s airport operator, which has led to higher operational costs for airlines. In contrast, Iberia Express, a low-cost carrier under the International Airlines Group (IAG), is taking advantage of this shift in the market by expanding its services to the Canary Islands. The airline is adding thousands of new seats and increasing the frequency of flights to meet the growing demand for winter travel.
Iberia Express, a budget airline operating under the International Airlines Group (IAG), has revealed its plans to significantly increase its presence in the Canary Islands. This expansion comes in response to a shift in the Spanish aviation landscape, marked by a reduction in services from competitor Ryanair. With new seats, flights, and increased capacities, Iberia Express aims to capture a larger share of the growing demand for travel to the Canary Islands. Here’s a closer look at the developments and what they mean for travelers in Spain and beyond.
Iberia Express’s Strategic Expansion
Between October 2025 and January 2026, Iberia Express will add a total of 30,000 new seats on flights to the Canary Islands. The airline plans to launch 115 new flights, complementing this with expanded capacity on 150 existing routes to better serve passengers during the busy winter season. This move signifies a 5% increase in IAG’s operations to the Canary Islands, emphasizing Iberia Express’s intention to enhance its footprint in the region. The airline’s proactive approach stands in contrast to the recent news from rival Ryanair, which has announced substantial cutbacks in its operations to Spain.
Ryanair’s Contraction in Spain
While Iberia Express is expanding its routes, Ryanair is significantly reducing its presence in Spain, particularly in the Canary Islands. The airline confirmed that approximately 400,000 fewer seats will be available on flights to the Canary Islands due to the reduction in services. This decrease is part of a broader strategy where Ryanair plans to cut around one million seats to Spain throughout the winter period. The cutbacks come in response to rising costs imposed by Aena, the country’s airport authority.
Increased Competition in the Canary Islands
Despite Ryanair’s pullback, the budget airline is not completely abandoning the Canary Islands. In fact, Ryanair has announced plans to bolster its operations in northern Tenerife with an additional 15,000 seats. Additionally, Ryanair intends to add eight extra daily flights to Madrid, as well as provide 850 more seats at Tenerife South. While these increases are notable, they fall short of offsetting the broader reduction in capacity across Spain.
Iberia Express’s decision to add thousands of new seats and flights comes at an opportune time, as the Canary Islands remain a popular destination for European travelers, especially during the winter months. With its added capacity and increased service offerings, Iberia Express is positioning itself as a strong contender for travelers looking to escape to the islands.
Ryanair’s Response to Aena’s Airport Charges
Ryanair’s scaling back of operations in Spain is primarily driven by a substantial increase in airport charges imposed by Aena. The airport operator announced a 6.62% rise in fees starting in September 2026. In response, Ryanair has chosen to scale back its operations to Spain, eliminating 600,000 seats from regional airports and reducing an additional 400,000 seats on flights to the Canary Islands. The airline’s dissatisfaction with the price hikes is clear, and Ryanair has accused Aena of prioritizing profits from major airports at the expense of regional services.
Ryanair Closes Base in Santiago, Cancels Flights
In addition to the seat reductions, Ryanair is making significant adjustments to its operations in Spain. The airline confirmed the closure of its base in Santiago, leading to a £149 million investment loss for the Galicia region. Furthermore, all flights to Tenerife North will be suspended by the end of the year, and services to Vigo will cease starting January 1, 2026.
Ryanair’s decision to pull back from these regional airports underscores the financial pressures caused by the increased airport charges. The airline has voiced frustration with both Aena and the Spanish government, accusing them of failing to support regional airports and undermining local economies. This situation has led to concerns that the rising costs could negatively impact Spain’s aviation sector, particularly for budget-conscious travelers.
Iberia Express Poised for Winter Surge
As Ryanair scales back, Iberia Express stands ready to capitalize on the growing demand for Canary Islands flights this winter. The 30,000 new seats and 115 additional flights will provide more options for travelers seeking affordable routes to this popular destination. With IAG’s commitment to improving its services in the region, Iberia Express could gain a significant competitive advantage during the colder months when demand for sun-soaked vacations peaks.
Conclusion
Ryanair is reducing flights to Spain, including cutting 400,000 seats to the Canary Islands due to rising airport charges. Meanwhile, Iberia Express is expanding its services to the Canary Islands by adding thousands of new seats and flights to capture the growing demand for winter travel, taking advantage of Ryanair’s pullback.
