Ryanair to shut Thessaloniki base in Greece due to high fees, says senior executive

ATHENS, May 8 (Reuters) - Ryanair will close ​its operating ‌base at Greece's Thessaloniki airport this ⁠winter after airport operator Fraport ⁠increased annual ​fees, a senior executive said on Friday. Speaking to reporters in Athens, Ryanair’s Chief ​Commercial Officer ‌Jason McGuinness said there was no progress in talks between the low-cost carrier and Fraport which ​has increased charges for airlines operating ‌at some Greek airports. "Fraport Greece continued to increase charges, ‌which are now 66% above pre-Covid level", McGuinness said, adding capacity at Athens airport ​will be reduced for the upcoming winter.

The ‌combined moves will result in the loss of 700,000 seats and 12 ⁠routes ⁠across Greece and also ‌the suspension of operations at Chania and Heraklion ​airports ​during off-peak months, he added.

Ryanair