Budget airline Ryanair has threatened to slash flight routes to Greece, warning that a planned 390% increase in airport fees at Kalamata International Airport ahead of its privatization will render the regional hub hopelessly uncompetitive.
The low-cost carrier stated that the impending quadruple price hike by prospective operator Fraport Greece will force significant traffic cuts, mirroring previous disputes.
Ryanair has already closed its three-aircraft base in Thessaloniki and suspended winter 2026 operations to Chania and Heraklion, explicitly blaming a 66% post-pandemic increase across Fraport's existing 14-airport Greek portfolio.
The projected Kalamata fee restructuring is embedded within a strict 40-year concession contract expected to be signed with the Greek state this month.
Ryanair called on the Greek government to explain why it approves privatization terms that it claims compromise local tourism economies to profit a commercial monopoly.
"It is beyond belief that Fraport Greece is planning to quadruple fees at Kalamata," said Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer.
Mr. McGuinness asserted that the unjustified spike would decimate regional connectivity, particularly during the off-peak shoulder and winter months.
He noted that while regional airports have the raw capacity to secure year-round passenger growth and curb the industry's heavy dependence on summer travel, that investment remains contingent on a strict pricing freeze.
Mr. McGuinness demanded that the operator freeze ongoing tariff adjustments and pass a state-legislated 75% reduction in the national Airport Development Fee entirely down to passengers.