European low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced that it will stop all flights to and from the Azores starting March 29, 2026.
In a statement released on November 20, 2025, Ryanair explained that this decision was made due to “high airport fees” in Portugal, imposed by ANA, the operator of most airports in the country. The airline also criticized the Portuguese government for its “inaction”.
The airline claims this has resulted in a 120% rise in air traffic control (ATC) fees since the pandemic and the introduction of a €2 travel tax, while other European nations are eliminating similar taxes to promote capacity growth.
According to the carrier, the ANA monopoly lacks a plan to enhance low-cost connectivity to the Azores because it faces no competition in Portugal. This situation has allowed it to increase airport fees “without penalty”, Ryanair added.
The airline said that the Portuguese government “must intervene” to ensure that its airports serve the Portuguese people rather than just benefiting the airport’s monopoly.
“After 10 years of year-round Ryanair operations, one of Europe’s most remote regions will now lose direct low-fare flights to London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Porto due to ANA’s high airport fees and Portuguese government’s inaction,” said Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s CCO.
The EU’s regulations and taxes are making it more difficult for remote areas like the Azores to compete. For example, the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) only applies to flights within Europe, while more polluting long-haul flights to destinations like the US and Middle East are exempt.
Recently, the EU extended ETS to include remote regions such as the Azores.
