Thessaloniki Rallies to Save Ryanair Base as Fee Dispute Threatens 37 Routes and 200 Jobs

Local officials, regional governors and business leaders convened an emergency summit Wednesday to prevent Ryanair from closing its operational base at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, warning that the loss of 37 routes and up to 200 aviation jobs would deal

The meeting, called by Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis, followed reports that the Irish low-cost carrier intends to withdraw its three based aircraft from the airport and cut a significant portion of its routes from October 2026.

The dispute centers on contract renewal negotiations between Ryanair and Fraport Greece, the private operator managing the airport.

The airline is said to be resisting a proposed 15 percent increase in airport charges, threatening to redirect its fleet to cheaper European hubs.

Mr. Angeloudis said a preliminary virtual meeting with Ryanair executives and direct discussions with Fraport had taken place Wednesday morning, and expressed cautious optimism that the unified front presented by local stakeholders could help break the deadlock before the winter scheduling season is finalized.

"The first victory is that all local stakeholders are on the same page," Mr. Angeloudis said, adding that preserving Thessaloniki's global connectivity is the city's top priority.

Business leaders warned that losing the Ryanair base would not only eliminate jobs directly tied to the airline's operations but ripple through a tourism sector that posted growth of more than 5 percent in early 2026.

Ryanair is Macedonia Airport's largest carrier and a critical source of low-cost access from northern and western Europe.

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Local officials, regional governors and business leaders convened an emergency summit Wednesday to prevent Ryanair from closing its operational base at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, warning that the loss of 37 routes and up to 200 aviation jobs would deal a serious blow to northern Greece's economy and tourism sector.

The meeting, called by Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis, followed reports that the Irish low-cost carrier intends to withdraw its three based aircraft from the airport and cut a significant portion of its routes from October 2026.

The dispute centers on contract renewal negotiations between Ryanair and Fraport Greece, the private operator managing the airport.

The airline is said to be resisting a proposed 15 percent increase in airport charges, threatening to redirect its fleet to cheaper European hubs.

Mr. Angeloudis said a preliminary virtual meeting with Ryanair executives and direct discussions with Fraport had taken place Wednesday morning, and expressed cautious optimism that the unified front presented by local stakeholders could help break the deadlock before the winter scheduling season is finalized.

"The first victory is that all local stakeholders are on the same page," Mr. Angeloudis said, adding that preserving Thessaloniki's global connectivity is the city's top priority.

Business leaders warned that losing the Ryanair base would not only eliminate jobs directly tied to the airline's operations but ripple through a tourism sector that posted growth of more than 5 percent in early 2026.

Ryanair is Macedonia Airport's largest carrier and a critical source of low-cost access from northern and western Europe.

Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr