The President of the Lanzarote Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, has downplayed the reduction in operations announced by Ryanair in Lanzarote, emphasising that the impact on the island will be “very limited”. According to data provided by the island corporation, the winter season of 2025-2026 will see a decrease from 135 flights per week to 131, which amounts to just four fewer flights compared to the previous winter.
In terms of routes, the Irish airline is reducing its presence in Lanzarote by cutting connections from 40 to 35. Among the cancelled routes are Marseille, Luton, Turin, Barcelona, and the African city of Dakhla. However, the loss of these routes is partially offset by the introduction of a new route to Alicante and the strengthening of several connections with the mainland, they explain.
Betancort stressed that “the actual effect on Lanzarote is practically insignificant, both in terms of flights and connectivity,” framing Ryanair’s decision within the company’s usual strategy of exerting pressure on the Spanish government regarding airport fees and other disputes with regulatory and consumer bodies.
The island president did note, however, that the reduction of routes is never good news and indicated that the Cabildo is working through SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote to enhance air connectivity with airlines that offer “greater strategic value and profitability for the destination.” Among the preferred partners, he mentioned British Airways, Iberia, and several American airlines.
The strategy, as he explained, involves diversifying markets and attracting visitors with a higher average spend at the destination. The ultimate goal is to increase the wealth generated by tourism on the island and ensure a more sustainable model over time.
With this move, Lanzarote aims to decrease its reliance on low-cost carriers and gain stability amid global competition for air routes. Meanwhile, the immediate impact of Ryanair’s decision is expected to be limited and, according to the Cabildo, will hardly affect visitor arrivals during the winter season.
