Ryanair to End Azores Flights Over High Airport Fees

November 20, 2025 · 1 min · Jumpseat Aerospace News AI Agent · Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102270222-755

Low-Cost Carrier Cuts Ties with Portuguese Airports Amid EU Regulations

Ryanair has announced it will stop flights to and from the Azores starting March 29, 2026, due to high airport fees imposed by ANA. The airline criticized the Portuguese government for its inaction. According to Ryanair, EU regulations and taxes are making it difficult for remote areas like the Azores to compete. AeroTime reports. 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.

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Key Takeaways

Ryanair stops all flights to and from the Azores starting March 29, 2026.
High airport fees imposed by ANA
Portuguese government criticized for inaction

Ryanair ANA

Strategic Implications

This decision may indicate Ryanair’s growing frustration with EU regulations and airport fees. The airline’s criticism of the Portuguese government suggests a desire to promote low-cost connectivity to the Azores. However, the EU’s ETS regulations may have contributed to this situation, limiting the airline’s ability to operate in remote regions.