In Spain Ryanair overtakes Vueling, Iberia, and Air Europa despite cuts

Ryanair increased its market share in the Spanish airline market by 7.8% during the first quarter of 2025, with 13.3 million passengers transported in comparison to the same period last year. According to the most recent data published by Aena, the Irish airline has achieved a market share of 21%.

After expanding by 2.4%, Vueling has reached the second position with just over 10 million passengers. It was followed by Iberia, which transported 5.3 million passengers, a 2.3% increase, and Air Europa, which experienced a 2.7% decline, with just over 4 million in passengers.

Additionally, EasyJet experienced a 0.5% decrease in passenger volume, reaching 3.1 million. It was succeeded by Binter (2.4 million), Jet2.com (2.1 million), Air Nostrum (1.8 million), Eurowings (1.6 million), and Iberia Express (2.9 million).

Despite the ongoing dispute with Aena and the government regarding the absence of incentives at regional airports and the escalating cost of airport fees, Ryanair’s leadership remains in position. The company has discontinued operations in Valladolid and Jerez as of March 28th and has eliminated up to twelve routes. This signifies the elimination of 800,000 seats at regional airports in Spain this summer (Ryanair eliminates 800,000 seats).

The airline anticipates that its expansion will be sustained by the expansion of its capacity at major airports, despite the 18% decrease in its secondary airport offerings. The regional reduction will be compensated by a 2% to 3% increase in operations in Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, and Malaga, which will result in 1.5 million additional seats.

Aena is explicitly blamed by the airline for the lack of economic incentives at smaller airports and the increase in airport taxes, which the airline used to justify this decision. In the interim, the airline’s manager has refuted these allegations, which has exacerbated the exchange of accusations, particularly between the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pablo Bustinduy, and the CEO of the low-cost company, Michael O’Leary.