Ryanair Pulls Its Thessaloniki Winter Base
Ryanair says it will close its three-aircraft base at Thessaloniki for winter 2026, blaming airport charges set by Fraport Greece. The airline said the decision follows a 66% rise in charges since the pandemic, making winter operations less competitive. It also accused the airport operator of not passing on Greece’s 75% cut to the Airport Development Fee.
The airline said the Greek government reduced the Airport Development Fee to support year-round connectivity and tourism, but claimed Fraport Greece kept the benefit instead of passing it to airlines and passengers. Ryanair argued that Greece has become less competitive than markets such as Albania, regional Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, where airport fees or taxes have been lowered.
What Ryanair Wants
Ryanair said it wants to grow in Greece, but only if costs change. The airline is calling for:
- Fraport Greece to freeze airport charges;
- the 75% Airport Development Fee cut to reach airlines and passengers;
- more competition in the Greek airport market;
- lower costs to support off-season routes, tourism and jobs.
The move could affect people planning winter trips to Thessaloniki and northern Greece, especially those relying on low-cost flights. Thessaloniki is a useful base for the city’s waterfront, Ano Poli, Byzantine sites and nearby Halkidiki. Fewer Ryanair services may also make it harder to plan cheaper off-season breaks, family visits or onward travel across northern Greece.
The dispute shows how airport fees can change what routes survive outside peak summer. Greece remains a major holiday market, but winter flying depends heavily on cost. If Ryanair cuts back, passengers may face fewer direct choices or higher fares on some routes. The bigger question is whether Greece wants more year-round air links, or mostly summer traffic.