Spanish airlines have offered to take over Ryanair's scrapped flight route to minimize the impact of the massive service cuts.
Volotea has pledged to serve regional airports in Spain that have been affected by the announcement of Ryanair, including Valladolid and Jerez Airport, where Ryanair is reportedly withdrawing entirely.
The company also provided help as a medium-term solution in Asturias, Vigo, Santiago, Zaragoza and Santander, which could begin next summer.
Volotea CEO Carlos Muñoz said: There's little room to operate this summer, but I was able to take the route from Ryanair next summer. ”
Ryanair will cut flights to Spain by 18% this year. This amounts to about 800,000 seats. This is due to high airport rates and lack of growth incentives.
In the summer of 2025, Santiago will receive one less aircraft, with traffic being cut at five other regional airports. Vigo (-61%), Santiago (-28%), Zaragoza (-20%), asturias (-11%), and Santander (-5%)
Volotea is currently operating from two locations in Spain, Asturias and Bilbao, and appears to open two more over the next five years.
Munoz contacted airport operator Anna following the announcement of Ryanair. He thanked him for supporting the development of an airport with fewer than 3 million passengers a year.
He commented: “It can be local governments that really encourage the implementation of capacity.”
Speaking about Ryanair's service cuts, CEO Eddie Wilson said:
