Ryanair Slashes Spanish Flights in Battle Over Airport Taxes

Ryanair Holdings Plcis sharply cutting back its flying plans to Spain, removing about 16% of its winter capacity to one of Europe’s busiest tourist markets in a dispute over higher airport fees.

The decision by Europe’s biggest low-cost carrier will reduce flights to winter getaways such as Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, as well as mid size cities such as Zaragoza, Vigo and Valladolid. It follows a 6.5% increase in airport taxes by Spain’s public airport operator, Aena.

“Aena and the Spanish government have the obligation of explaining to the regions its mid term strategy given that its ...