Ryanair aviation disputes in Spain

Ryanair has escalated its criticism of Spanish aviation infrastructure, claiming that Spain has overtaken France to become the worst air traffic control (ATC) provider in Europe. The airline reports that ATC-related delays in Spain increased by 28 percent in 2026, resulting in over 32,600 delayed Ryanair flights and affecting nearly 6 million passengers.

Ryanair specifically identified the Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville Area Control Centres as major contributors to these disruptions, citing chronic staff shortages and inadequate capacity planning. While Eurocontrol has mandated special measures for these three centers to manage summer traffic demand, Ryanair has dismissed ENAIRE’s existing ‘70-measure’ improvement program as ineffective. The airline is demanding increased staffing levels and better shift organization to accommodate traffic growth.

This operational dispute follows previous disagreements regarding financial and capacity shifts. Ryanair previously announced plans to reduce approximately three million seats at regional airports between 2025 and 2026, opting instead to increase capacity at major hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Palma, and Málaga. This move follows a 6.44 percent increase in airport fees approved by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC). Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente has characterized these capacity shifts as opportunistic, suggesting the airline is using aircraft delivery delays as leverage to pressure the government for fee discounts.