Ryanair Cuts Greece Flights After Thessaloniki Base Closure
Ryanair will close its Thessaloniki base in October 2026, cutting Greece winter flights and raising concerns over higher fares and reduced routes.
www.crystaltravel.co.ukDirect answer: Ryanair announced the closure of its Thessaloniki base for Winter 2026, with corresponding reductions in flights and routes at Thessaloniki and Athens, due to ongoing disputes over airport charges with Fraport Greece.
What happened and when:
- Ryanair said it will close its three-aircraft Thessaloniki base for Winter 2026, cutting seats and routes from the city (winter schedule). This aligns with statements made in May 2026 and subsequent coverage.[1][2]
- The decision follows a dispute over airport charges, with Ryanair citing rising fees at Fraport Greece-operated airports as a main driver.[2][1]
- Reports also indicate reductions at Athens Airport and the potential suspension of operations at other Greek airports in the off-peak period.[1]
Context and reactions:
- Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness characterized the charges as uncompetitive and tied to Fraport Greece’s fee practices, noting no progress in talks.[2][1]
- Media outlets describe the move as a significant capacity reduction for Greece, particularly impacting winter connectivity for Thessaloniki.[3][9]
Notes on specifics:
- The Thessaloniki base closure is part of broader Greece capacity reductions announced by Ryanair for Winter ’26, including the suspension of some routes and movements at other Greek airports.[4][1]
- Fraport Greece has publicly disputed Ryanair’s characterization of the fee situation, framing the cuts as Ryanair’s strategic response rather than solely an airport charge issue.[10]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest primary sources and summarize quotes from Ryanair and Fraport Greece, or provide a brief timeline of announcements and airport-by-airport impact.