Ryanair Cuts Routes from Canary Islands, Affecting Travel Connectivity

Ryanair has made headlines with its recent announcement regarding the cancellation of several flight routes from airports in the Canary Islands, a move that has significant implications for travelers and the region’s connectivity.

Major Flight Cancellations Impacting Key Destinations

The low-cost airline’s latest decision has resulted in the cancellation of five additional routes, bringing the total number of flights eliminated to thirteen within just two months. This wave of cancellations predominantly affects the islands of Lanzarote and Tenerife South. Among the most notable changes, Ryanair will discontinue flights linking Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Tenerife South to Barcelona, a vital hub for both leisure and business travelers.

In addition to the Barcelona routes, Ryanair will also halt flights from Lanzarote to Budapest and Dakhla in Western Sahara. The situation has worsened for Tenerife, as the airline will cease its services from Tenerife South to major cities such as Madrid and Seville. This follows an earlier announcement about the complete withdrawal of operations from Tenerife North during the winter season, which has led to the loss of routes to other significant destinations, including Valencia, Alicante, and Palma.

Ongoing Dispute with Aena and Strategic Operational Changes

This series of cancellations is occurring against the backdrop of a contentious dispute between Ryanair and Aena, the airport management company responsible for the Canary Islands’ airports. Ryanair has publicly criticized Aena for imposing high fees that jeopardize the sustainability of its operations at regional airports, particularly in the Canary Islands. In light of these challenges, Ryanair is redirecting its focus to markets where it can secure better profit margins and encounter fewer regulatory hurdles.

This strategic pivot is expected to result in a substantial loss of approximately 400,000 seats in the Canary Islands during the winter season, which translates to around 10% of the airline’s total capacity in the region. The implications of this reduction are significant, as it not only affects Ryanair’s operational footprint but also the overall travel options available to passengers seeking to visit the islands.

Emerging Opportunities for Competing Airlines

As Ryanair scales back its operations, other airlines are poised to capitalize on the resulting gap in the market. Air Nostrum has announced plans to enhance its Christmas operations to Tenerife North, with additional flights from various cities including Santiago, Valencia, and Valladolid. Moreover, Gran Canaria will see increased connectivity from Valencia and León. The upcoming winter season is set to introduce 24 new routes to the Canary Islands, with nine of these being operated by easyJet, which is strategically targeting markets in France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries.

In addition to easyJet, other airlines such as Wizz Air, airBaltic, and Eurowings are also expanding their services in the region, indicating a competitive landscape that is evolving rapidly in response to Ryanair’s withdrawal. This influx of new routes and services could potentially mitigate some of the connectivity losses experienced by travelers in the Canary Islands.

Current Trends in Passenger Traffic at Canary Islands Airports

Despite the challenges posed by Ryanair’s cancellations, recent data reveals that the airports in the Canary Islands continue to attract a significant number of travelers. In October, a total of 4.6 million passengers were recorded, marking a 2.3% increase compared to the same month last year. Notably, Tenerife North has experienced a robust growth rate of 5.6%, even in light of the impending loss of all Ryanair operations in 2025. Fuerteventura has also demonstrated strong performance, with a 5.5% increase in passenger numbers.

Looking ahead, projections for January 2026 suggest a slight decline of 1.6% in capacity directed towards Tenerife, even before the announcement of these new cancellations. While traditional markets such as the UK and Germany are scaling back their capacity, there is a notable increase in expected seat availability from the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, and France. This shift indicates a changing landscape in which traditional markets are losing prominence, while secondary markets, particularly from Northern Europe, are gaining traction. The combination of new routes and sudden cancellations is creating a uniquely volatile winter for the Canary Islands, raising questions about the region’s competitiveness in the travel market.

Key points

• Ryanair has cancelled a total of thirteen routes from the Canary Islands in two months.
• Key affected routes include flights to Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville.
• The airline blames high fees imposed by Aena for its operational changes.
• Ryanair’s cancellations will result in a loss of approximately 400,000 seats this winter.
• Other airlines, including Air Nostrum and easyJet, are expanding their operations in response to Ryanair’s withdrawal.
• Canary Islands airports recorded 4.6 million passengers in October, a 2.3% increase from last year.
• Projections indicate a slight decline in capacity towards Tenerife in early 2026.