Ryanair is making extensive cuts to its Greek network for the winter of 2026, announcing the closure of its base in Thessaloniki, the loss of 700,000 available airline seats and the cancellation of 12 routes from Greece.
The Irish low-cost airline attributes its decision to the increased operating costs of Greek airports, arguing that the reduction of the Airport Development Fee was not passed on to passengers.
According to Ryanair, this development has made Greece less competitive during the months of low demand, limiting the possibility of developing winter connectivity and affecting the effort to extend the tourist season.
The biggest blow concerns Thessaloniki, where the company is withdrawing the three aircraft it kept at its base. This investment is valued by Ryanair at 300 million dollars.
The decision entails a loss of 500,000 available seats for Thessaloniki, a 60% reduction compared to the winter of 2025, as well as the cancellation of routes to destinations such as Berlin, Chania, Frankfurt, Stockholm and Zagreb.
The overall package of cuts also includes a reduction in capacity at Athens airport, with the loss of the Athens-Milan connection. At the same time, Ryanair suspends its activity in Chania and Heraklion during the winter season.
The company says that the Greek government has moved in the right direction by reducing, from November 2024, the Airport Development Fee by 75%, from €12 to €3 per passenger.
However, according to Ryanair, this reduction was not passed on to the final price for passengers from most Greek airports, especially those operated by Fraport Greece.
Ryanair also claims that Fraport Greece has increased its charges by 66% compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, he states that Athens airport is also expected to proceed with new fee increases in the coming winter.
According to the company, the result is that Greece loses air capacity to the benefit of more competitive markets, such as Albania, Italy and Sweden.
