Ryanair will close its base in Thessaloniki, Greece, citing elevated fees, according to a senior executive
Ryanair will shut down its operating base at Thessaloniki airport in Greece this winter and reduce the number of flights to and from the city following an increase in annual fees by airport operator Fraport, a senior executive stated on Friday.
During a press conference in Athens, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness stated that discussions between the low-cost airline and Fraport have not advanced, as Fraport has increased fees at several Greek airports.
“Fraport Greece has consistently raised charges, which are currently 66% higher than pre-Covid levels,” McGuinness stated.
Fraport Greece stated that any assertions connecting Ryanair’s choice to airport charges or the Airport Development Fee (ADF) set by the Greek State are completely baseless. “The decision to cut back on winter operations at Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia is solely tied to Ryanair’s commercial strategy, business model, and profitability factors,” Fraport conveyed in a statement on Friday.
Ryanair plans to withdraw three aircraft stationed in Thessaloniki, resulting in a reduction of 500,000 seats and the cancellation of 10 routes this winter.
The Irish carrier, the largest in Europe by passenger numbers, operates 95 hubs across the continent for its aircraft and cabin crew bases. Last month, it also announced the closure of its base in Berlin due to increased fees and taxes.
McGuinness did not indicate whether the decision would result in job reductions for the 100 employees at the Thessaloniki base.
Capacity at Athens airport is set to be reduced for the upcoming winter, leading to a total loss of 700,000 seats and 12 routes throughout Greece.
McGuinness stated that operations at Chania and Heraklion airports will be suspended during the off-peak months.
Aircraft will be reassigned to Albania, Italy, and Sweden, “where airports have transferred their government’s aviation tax savings, leading to increased connectivity, tourism, and jobs this winter,” McGuinness stated.
Ryanair’s departure from Thessaloniki could be highly detrimental for the city, as it accounted for 90% of its international capacity last year.
Greece, a premier summer destination in the Mediterranean, relies heavily on tourism. Greek media had predicted that Ryanair would close its base in Thessaloniki, leading to worries among municipal authorities regarding the effect on tourism jobs.
