Volotea plane. Credit: Pexels, Miguel Cuenca

Those travelling to Spain could soon have alternative flight options as Spanish airline Volotea has offered to take over some of Ryanair’s scrapped regional routes.

The announcement follows Ryanair’s decision to cut its Spanish services by 18 per cent this year, equating to around 800,000 fewer seats.

Ryanair is set to completely withdraw from Valladolid and Jerez airports while also reducing operations in Santiago, Vigo, Zaragoza, Asturias, and Santander. The Irish airline has blamed rising airport charges and insufficient incentives from Spain’s airport operator, Aena, for its decision.

Volotea’s commitment to regional airports

Volotea’s CEO, Carlos Muñoz, assured that the airline is prepared to step in. “If Ryanair leaves regional airports, no one should worry because Volotea is there,” he stated (cited by The Daily Express). The airline, which specialises in connecting small and medium-sized cities, currently operates from Asturias and Bilbao and plans to open two more bases in Spain within the next five years.

Muñoz also reached out to Aena to discuss how Volotea could help sustain connections at under-served airports. However, he echoed Ryanair’s concerns about Spain’s airport incentive policies, arguing that they do not generate enough competition between airports, unlike other parts of Europe.

Volotea’s financial strength and future growth

Volotea has reported its most profitable year yet, with sales growing 17 per cent year-on-year, generating €811 million in revenue. Despite sector-wide challenges due to aircraft delivery delays, the airline expects a 9 per cent increase in Spanish capacity for 2025, reaching 3.6 million seats, as reported by 20 Minutos.

Volotea’s legal battle over baggage fees

Meanwhile, Volotea has been caught up in a legal dispute over extra airline fees. Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs recently fined five airlines a combined €179 million for charging for hand luggage, seat selection, and ticket printing. Ryanair received the largest penalty at €107 million, while Volotea was fined just over €1 million. Ryanair responded with a bold Spanish ‘clowns’ campaign.

Muñoz defended Volotea’s pricing model, arguing that mandatory baggage inclusion would unfairly impact lower-income travellers. The airline has appealed the fine, warning that including hand luggage in base fares could nearly double ticket prices.

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