Low-cost airline accuses airport operator Fraport of keeping for itself the tax cut decided by the Greek government and calls on Greece to 'break Fraport's monopoly'.
Ryanair has issued an angry statement against Fraport, following the announcement by the operator of 14 Greek airports.
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The Irish low-cost airline "attacks" Fraport, calling it a "monopoly" and accusing it that instead of passing on to airlines and passengers the 75% reduction in the modernisation fee imposed by Greece, it "decided to keep the tax cut for itself in order to increase its profits".
At the same time it calls on the Greek government to "break the monopoly of Fraport".
Ryanair's statement in detail
"The announcement issued by the Fraport Greece monopoly on 8 May demonstrates how out of touch the German-owned monopoly airport operator is with reality," the statement said.
"Ryanair's decision to close its three aircraft base in Thessaloniki for the winter season of 2026 is solely due to Fraport's decision to increase airport charges by an exorbitant +66% following the pandemic.
"More recently, instead of passing on to all airlines and passengers the Greek government's prudent decision to reduce the Airport Modernization and Development Fee by -75% in order to boost interconnectivity and year-round tourism in Greece, Fraport's monopoly kept this tax cut for itself in order to further increase its German shareholder's profits.
"Fraport Greece's monopoly has made Greek aviation hopelessly uncompetitive compared to other European countries, such as Albania, regional Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, which are actively reducing airport charges and abolishing taxes to support growth in passenger traffic, tourism and employment.
"Ryanair wants to grow in Greece - as it is doing in other more competitive European countries - but this can only happen if Fraport Greece freezes airport charges and passes on the -75% reduction in the Airport Modernisation and Development Fee to all airlines and passengers to support capacity growth and investment, rather than increasing the profits of its German shareholder.
"Ryanair calls on the Greek government to break the monopoly of Fraport Greece, which will bring much needed competition to the Greek aviation market."
What preceded
Fraport Greece, which manages 14 regional airports in the country, had issued a statement on Friday regarding Ryanair's decision to end the operation of its base at Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport at the end of October, noting that it had been informed of the development only the same day.
The company also noted ticklingly that "the announcements were made in Athens and not in Thessaloniki, which is directly affected by the decision".
At the same time, it described as "unfounded the claims of the Irish low-cost airline regarding airport charges and the Airport Development Fee, arguing that they are simply being used as a pretext".
According to Fraport Greece, the reduction of Ryanair's winter services at Macedonia airport is exclusively linked to the airline's own strategy, business model and profitability criteria.
Fraport Greece also stressed that it respects the business choices of Ryanair, which continues to be an important partner along with more than 40 airlines currently operating at Thessaloniki airport.
Through these partnerships, the city and the wider region of Macedonia are connected to more than 33 countries and 93 destinations. Finally, the company reiterated its commitment to continue to offer high quality infrastructure and services.
