Ryanair Slams AENA's Proposed 21% Spanish Airport Fee Hike

Ryanair is publicly opposing a proposal by Spanish airport operator AENA to increase airport charges by a cumulative 21% between 2027 and 2031. The dispute centers on the upcoming DORA III regulatory framework, which will govern fees and investments for the five-year period.

The Dispute Over DORA III

The proposed fee hike could lead to higher airfares for passengers and threaten the viability of routes at smaller regional airports, potentially impacting Spain's tourism-dependent economy. Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson criticized the proposal from AENA (Aeropuertos Españoles y Navegación Aérea), calling it "regrettable" and accusing the state-owned operator of behaving like "a monopoly with a history of charging the highest fees." The new charges are outlined in the third Airport Regulation Document, or DORA III (Documento de Regulación Aeroportuaria), for the 2027-2031 period.

Wilson warned the fee structure could mark "a turning point for Spanish tourism," referencing a previous instance where a fee increase led Ryanair to cut approximately two million seats at Spanish regional airports.

Airlines Propose Fee Reduction

Pushing back against AENA, the Spanish Airline Association, ALA (Asociación de Líneas Aéreas), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have presented a counter-proposal. They are calling for a 4.9% annual reduction in fees. The airline groups contend that AENA's planned €10-13 billion investment program can be funded without raising charges, a position they state is supported by independent studies.

A central point of contention is passenger traffic forecasting. According to IATA, AENA has based its fee increase on a conservative annual traffic growth forecast of 1.3%. However, studies commissioned by airlines project a more robust 3.6% annual growth. IATA data indicates that between 2017 and 2025, actual passenger traffic was 15.3% higher than AENA's forecasts, which allegedly allowed the operator to earn €1.3 billion in excess regulated returns.

Rafael Schvartzman, IATA's Regional Vice President for Europe, accused AENA of "gaming the regulatory system for years" by underestimating traffic to justify higher fees. He labeled the proposed increase "absurd" and "unsustainable."

Regulatory Decision Awaited

Both Ryanair and the airline associations are urging Spain's National Commission for Markets and Competition, CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia), and the Ministry of Transport to review and reject AENA's proposal. The final decision on the DORA III framework, which will set the course for Spanish air travel costs for the latter half of the decade, now rests with these regulatory bodies.

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