Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline located at Alicante-Elche Airport and the top in passenger counts, has announced the termination of two domestic routes to Santiago de Compostela and Tenerife North beginning October 26th, 2025, coinciding with the winter season.
According to the corporation, the decision is in response to “excessive and uncompetitive airport taxes applied by the monopolistic airport operator AENA.” As part of this plan, Ryanair will close its base in Santiago de Compostela and depart Tenerife North Airport, effectively removing direct flights from the Costa Blanca to both destinations.
The impact will be particularly considerable on the connection to Santiago de Compostela, since Ryanair was the only airline operating the route following Vueling’s withdrawal in the summer of 2025. This was the fourth most popular domestic connection in 2024, with 233,757 passengers, therefore the cancellation entails the loss of an important link for domestic connectivity between Alicante and Elche.
In the case of Tenerife North, the situation will be less terrible, as Vueling will retain direct flights with between five weekly frequencies and one daily flight. The route to Tenerife handled 155,027 passengers in 2024, assuring that the service would continue despite Ryanair’s withdrawal.
Despite this negative news, Ryanair will increase its presence at Alicante-Elche during the 2025-2026 winter season, basing four more aircraft than the previous winter, increasing the total to 16 based aircraft. This will enable the airline to introduce up to 61 new weekly frequencies.
Author: Derek Appleton
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