{"id":1925699,"date":"2026-05-08T14:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1925699"},"modified":"2026-05-08T14:16:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T11:16:45","slug":"ryanair-suspends-the-operation-of-its-base-in-thessaloniki-in-winter-due-to-fraport-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1925699","title":{"rendered":"Ryanair suspends the operation of its base in Thessaloniki in winter due to Fraport charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/19\/03\/1200x675_cmsv2_62db0959-bcb2-5771-ba3d-f2dcf429d689-9751903.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2892194-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892194\" data-cid=\"9751850\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/15\/33\/189x106_cmsv2_a191da45-92f2-55bb-9be5-c7a3127be3df-9751533.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio received in Rome by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Rubio: &#8216;Trump has not decided on withdrawal&#8217; but there is &#8216;problem with Nato&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892307-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2892307\" data-cid=\"9752163\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892307-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_ad17534b-fd54-5bd0-8bb6-4deb29f4d002-9752163.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892219-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2892219\" data-cid=\"9751644\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892219-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/16\/44\/189x106_cmsv2_b55c6d0b-6e60-5702-a40a-f0b1f6d0af81-9751644.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev speaks to journalists after the polls closed in Sunday's election, in Sofia, Bulgaria, April 19, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Bulgarian parliament confirms Rumen Radev as new prime minister\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2892293-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2892293\" data-cid=\"9752112\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2892293-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/21\/12\/189x106_cmsv2_aab77e2c-1793-5d2d-b528-8d5c7074cf9e-9752112.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Britain's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer meets Labour Party members at Kingsdown Methodist Church Hall, in Ealing, west London, Friday May 8, 2026, a day after the local elec\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why a weakened Starmer will worry the EU\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Travel<\/p>\n<p>                          Travel News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            Ryanair suspends the operation of its base in Thessaloniki in winter due to Fraport charges<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/19\/03\/1536x864_cmsv2_62db0959-bcb2-5771-ba3d-f2dcf429d689-9751903.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A Ryanair Boeing 737 approaches for landing\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A Ryanair Boeing 737 approaches for landing<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo\/Armando Franca<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Armando Franca\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspIoannis Karagiorgas&amp;nbspwith&amp;nbsp<b>\u0391\u03a0\u0395-\u039c\u03a0\u0395<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1778249805\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-05-08 16:16:45 +02:00\">08\/05\/2026 &#8211; 16:16 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div 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loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The low-cost airline announced that it will limit its operation in Athens and is eliminating 12 routes and discontinuing winter flights from Chania and Heraklion.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--travel js-article-content\">\n<p>Ryanair has announced that it will cease operations at its base in Thessaloniki during the 2026 winter season, withdrawing three aircraft serving the region. At the same time, it is also proceeding to limit its operations at Athens Airport.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Specifically, it was announced that the &#8220;catastrophic loss of connectivity during the low tourist season is a direct result of the excessively uncompetitive charges imposed by the German-managed monopoly Fraport Greece and Athens Airport&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>According to the company, these changes will result in a reduction of 700,000 passenger seats, which is about 45% fewer than in the winter of 2025, as well as the cancellation of 12 routes.<\/p>\n<p>Ryanair attributes its decision to the high charges imposed by both Fraport Greece and Athens Airport, arguing that Greek airports have become uncompetitive during the low tourist season.<\/p>\n<p>It says that although the Greek government reduced the Airport Development Fee by 75% from November 2024 &#8211; from \u20ac12 to \u20ac3 per passenger &#8211; this reduction was not passed on to travellers, but was absorbed by airport operators.<\/p>\n<p>The company also notes that Fraport Greece&#8217;s charges have increased by more than 66% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and Athens Airport is also planning further increases for the winter.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, Ryanair has decided to move some of its business to countries it considers more competitive, such as Albania, regional Italy and Sweden.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The airline&#8217;s new winter schedule for 2026 includes:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Withdrawal of three aircraft from Thessaloniki<\/li>\n<li>Reduction of the total capacity by 700,000 seats<\/li>\n<li>Elimination of 12 routes: Thessaloniki to Berlin, Chania, Frankfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg, Heraklion, Niderraine, Poznan, Stockholm, Venice-Treviso, Zagreb; Athens to Milan-Bergamo; and Chania to Paphos<\/li>\n<li>Suspension of activity at Chania and Heraklion airports during the winter period<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>At the same time, Ryanair presented to the Greek government a development plan aimed at increasing passenger traffic to 12 million passengers per year over the next five years. The plan includes the addition of 10 new aircraft, an investment of more than $1 billion, and the creation of 50 new routes.<\/p>\n<p>However, the airline makes it clear that the implementation of this plan is dependent on a freeze on airport charges and the passing on of the ADF reduction to passengers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.669\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/17\/23\/808x542_cmsv2_54748a28-74d6-5112-88ac-434a62936456-9751723.jpg\" alt=\"Jason McGuinness\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Jason McGuinness<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Ryanair<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Jason McGuinness, the airline&#8217;s Chief Commercial Officer, said: &#8220;Ryanair regrets to announce the closure of its base in Thessaloniki and reductions in Athens for winter 2026, which will result in the loss of 700,000 seats and 12 routes across Greece, as well as the suspension of operations in Chania and Heraklion during the low tourist season. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;These avoidable reductions in air traffic are a direct result of the failure of airports to pass on the reduction in ADF, particularly in Thessaloniki where Fraport Greece&#8217;s monopoly has increased charges by +66% since 2019. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The removal of three aircraft, 500,000 seats (-60% compared to winter 2025) and 10 routes from Thessaloniki for winter 2026 will be devastating for the city and the region, as Ryanair provided 90% of Thessaloniki&#8217;s international low-cost capacity last winter. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, there will no longer be low fares for the citizens and visitors of Thessaloniki, and year-round tourism will be affected. These aircraft will be transferred to Albania, regional Italy and Sweden, where the airports have transferred the government&#8217;s tax cuts &#8211; leading to more connectivity, tourism and jobs in these regions during the winter.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>On how to solve the problem, McGuinness added: \u201cThere is an opportunity for Greece to secure significant growth in passenger traffic all year round. However, this investment can only be realised if the German-run Fraport Greece monopoly fully passes on the Greek government\u2019s tax cut from November 2024, allowing airlines such as Ryanair to offer the connectivity needed to reduce Greece\u2019s chronic seasonality.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2889282-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2889282\" data-cid=\"9737276\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2889282-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/73\/72\/76\/480x270_cmsv2_31f69303-a502-56d2-9902-ac2e80ced491-9737276.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Among Ryanair\u2019s grievances were steep declines in air traffic, while aviation taxes and airport fees continue to weigh on its operations\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Travel News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ryanair begins phasing out Berlin base as air traffic drops by 27%<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2865148-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2865148\" data-cid=\"9626077\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2865148-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/62\/58\/75\/480x270_cmsv2_2e18812e-7c70-5f39-a717-0c3db8845c6a-9625875.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. 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News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ryanair suspends the operation of its base in Thessaloniki in winter<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Air transport<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Ryanair<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Airlines<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Greece<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" 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At the same time, it is also proceeding to limit its operations at Athens Airport.Specifically, it was announced that the &#8220;catastrophic loss of connectivity during the low tourist season is a direct result of the excessively uncompetitive charges imposed by the German-managed monopoly Fraport Greece and Athens Airport&#8221;.According to the company, these changes will result in a reduction of 700,000 passenger seats, which is about 45% fewer than in the winter of 2025, as well as the cancellation of 12 routes.Ryanair attributes its decision to the high charges imposed by both Fraport Greece and Athens Airport, arguing that Greek airports have become uncompetitive during the low tourist season.It says that although the Greek government reduced the Airport Development Fee by 75% from November 2024 &#8211; from \u20ac12 to \u20ac3 per passenger &#8211; this reduction was not passed on to travellers, but was absorbed by airport operators.The company also notes that Fraport Greece&#8217;s charges have increased by more than 66% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and Athens Airport is also planning further increases for the winter.As a result, Ryanair has decided to move some of its business to countries it considers more competitive, such as Albania, regional Italy and Sweden.The airline&#8217;s new winter schedule for 2026 includes:Withdrawal of three aircraft from ThessalonikiReduction of the total capacity by 700,000 seatsElimination of 12 routes: Thessaloniki to Berlin, Chania, Frankfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg, Heraklion, Niderraine, Poznan, Stockholm, Venice-Treviso, Zagreb; Athens to Milan-Bergamo; and Chania to PaphosSuspension of activity at Chania and Heraklion airports during the winter periodAt the same time, Ryanair presented to the Greek government a development plan aimed at increasing passenger traffic to 12 million passengers per year over the next five years. The plan includes the addition of 10 new aircraft, an investment of more than $1 billion, and the creation of 50 new routes.However, the airline makes it clear that the implementation of this plan is dependent on a freeze on airport charges and the passing on of the ADF reduction to passengers.Jason McGuinness, the airline&#8217;s Chief Commercial Officer, said: &#8220;Ryanair regrets to announce the closure of its base in Thessaloniki and reductions in Athens for winter 2026, which will result in the loss of 700,000 seats and 12 routes across Greece, as well as the suspension of operations in Chania and Heraklion during the low tourist season.&#8221;These avoidable reductions in air traffic are a direct result of the failure of airports to pass on the reduction in ADF, particularly in Thessaloniki where Fraport Greece&#8217;s monopoly has increased charges by +66% since 2019.&#8221;The removal of three aircraft, 500,000 seats (-60% compared to winter 2025) and 10 routes from Thessaloniki for winter 2026 will be devastating for the city and the region, as Ryanair provided 90% of Thessaloniki&#8217;s international low-cost capacity last winter.&#8221;Unfortunately, there will no longer be low fares for the citizens and visitors of Thessaloniki, and year-round tourism will be affected. These aircraft will be transferred to Albania, regional Italy and Sweden, where the airports have transferred the government&#8217;s tax cuts &#8211; leading to more connectivity, tourism and jobs in these regions during the winter.&#8221;On how to solve the problem, McGuinness added: \u201cThere is an opportunity for Greece to secure significant growth in passenger traffic all year round. However, this investment can only be realised if the German-run Fraport Greece monopoly fully passes on the Greek government\u2019s tax cut from November 2024, allowing airlines such as Ryanair to offer the connectivity needed to reduce Greece\u2019s chronic seasonality.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/www.euronews.com\/travel\/2026\/05\/08\/ryanair-suspends-the-operation-of-its-base-in-thessaloniki-in-winter-due-to-fraport-charge&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/75\/19\/03\/1200x675_cmsv2_62db0959-bcb2-5771-ba3d-f2dcf429d689-9751903.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Rubio: &#8216;Trump has not decided on withdrawal&#8217; but there is &#8216;problem with Nato&#8217; Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 8th, 2026 \u2013 Evening Europe News Bulgarian parliament confirms Rumen Radev as new prime minister Europe News Why a weakened Starmer will worry the EU Europe News Rubio: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-1925699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1925699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1925699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1925699\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1925699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1925699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1925699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}