Ryanair has launched a fierce attack against Fraport Greece following its decision to shut down its three-aircraft base in Thessaloniki for the 2026 winter season, blaming the move entirely on rising airport fees.
In a statement, the Irish airline described Fraport Greece as a “German-owned monopoly,” arguing that a 66% increase in airport charges since the pandemic has made the Greek aviation market uncompetitive compared with other European countries.
Ryanair also claims that Fraport failed to pass on to airlines and passengers the 75% reduction in the Airport Development Fee introduced by the Greek government to strengthen year-round connectivity and tourism. Instead, the airline alleges, the airport operator “kept” the benefit in order to boost shareholder revenues.
At the same time, the airline compared Greece with countries such as Albania, Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, where — according to Ryanair — governments are implementing policies aimed at reducing airport charges and taxes in order to boost passenger traffic, tourism, and employment.
Ryanair said it wants to expand its presence in the Greek market, but stressed that this would require Fraport Greece to freeze airport fees and fully implement the Airport Development Fee reduction for the benefit of airlines and passengers.
Concluding its statement, the company called on the Greek government to “break up the Fraport Greece monopoly,” arguing that only greater competition can drive growth in the country’s aviation sector.
Ryanair’s Full Statement
“The statement issued by the Fraport Greece Monopoly on 8 May highlights just how off the mark the German owned monopoly airport operator is. Ryanair’s decision to close its three aircraft Thessaloniki base for Winter ’26 is entirely due to Fraport’s decision to hike its airport charges by an excessive +66% following the pandemic.
More recently, instead of passing on the Greek Govt’s sensible decision to reduce the Airport Development Fee by -75% to all airlines and passengers to stimulate year-round connectivity and tourism across Greece – the Fraport monopoly pocketed this tax reduction to further line the pockets of its German shareholder. The Fraport Greece monopoly has made Greece aviation hopelessly uncompetitive compared to other European countries such as Albania, regional Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, all of whom are actively lowering airport fees and abolishing taxes to support traffic, tourism and jobs growth.
Ryanair wants to grow in Greece – as it is in other more competitive countries across Europe – but can only do so if Fraport Greece freezes airport charges and passes the -75% Airport Development Fee reduction on to all airlines and passengers to stimulate capacity growth and investment, instead of lining the pockets of its German shareholder. Ryanair calls on the Greek Govt. to break up the Fraport Greece monopoly, which will bring much needed competition to the Greek aviation market.“
