Ryanair: announced the closure of its base in Thessaloniki

This decision would result inthe loss of 700,000 passenger seats (-45%)and 12 routes for the winter season of 2026, according to the company.

Specifically, it said, “the disastrous loss of connectivity during the low tourist season is a direct result of the excessively non-competitive charges imposed by the German-owned monopoly Fraport Greece and Athens Airport.”

According to the company, the Greek government has taken the right decision to reduce by 75% the Airport Development Fee (ADF) – from €12 to €3 per passengerthe – from November 2024, which should directly boost connectivity and tourismthroughout the year in Greece. However, most Greek airports, particularly those managed by Fraport Greece, have refused to pass this reduction on to passengers and instead kept the benefit for themselves. Since then, Fraport Greece has continued to increase its charges, which are now over 66% higher than pre-Covid levels. Similarly, Athens Airport will also increase its charges this winter.

As a result, Greek airports are no longer competitive during the winter and mid-season tourist season, when the tourism industry’s reliance on low-cost airlines is greatest. Ryanair says it had no choice but to transfer its capacity to more competitive countries, such as Albania, regional Italy and Sweden, where airports have passed on government tax cuts to passengers.

Ryanair’s reduced schedule for winter 2026 in Greece will include:

* Removal of 3 aircraft from its Thessaloniki base ($300 million investment)

* Reduction of 700.000 seats (-45% compared to winter 2025)

* Elimination of 12 routes

(Thessaloniki to Berlin, Chania, Frankfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg, Heraklion, Niderraine, Poznan, Stockholm, Venice-Trevizo, Zagreb and Athens to Milan-Bergamo, and Chania to Paphos)

* Closure of 2 airports (Chania and Heraklion)

Ryanair also presented an ambitious growth plan to the Greek government, aiming to increase passenger traffic to 12 million. passengers per year (+70%), adding 10 additional aircraft (an investment of more than $1 billion) and launching 50 new routes over the next five years. However, according to the company, this plan can only be implemented if airport charges are frozen and if the 75% reduction in the ADF is passed on to passengers at all airports. Otherwise, Greece will continue to lose investment opportunities, tourism and passenger traffic growth as long as Fraport Greece and Athens Airport continue – as Ryanair says – the “shameful practice” of withholding this tax reduction.

Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness said:

“Ryanair regrets to announce the closure of its base in Thessaloniki and reductions in Athens for winter 2026, which will result in the loss of 700,000 seats and 12 routes across Greece, as well as the suspension of operations in Chania and Heraklion during the low tourist season. These avoidable reductions in air traffic are a direct result of the failure of airports to pass on the reduction in ADF, particularly in Thessaloniki where Fraport Greece’s monopoly has increased charges by +66% since 2019.”