“The statement issued by the Fraport Greece Monopoly on 8 May highlights just how off the mark the German owned monopoly airport operator is. Ryanair’s decision to close its three aircraft Thessaloniki base for Winter ’26 is entirely due to Fraport’s decision to hike its airport charges by an excessive +66% following the pandemic.

More recently, instead of passing on the Greek Govt’s sensible decision to reduce the Airport Development Fee by -75% to all airlines and passengers to stimulate year-round connectivity and tourism across Greece – the Fraport monopoly pocketed this tax reduction to further line the pockets of its German shareholder. The Fraport Greece monopoly has made Greece aviation hopelessly uncompetitive compared to other European countries such as Albania, regional Italy, Slovakia and Sweden, all of whom are actively lowering airport fees and abolishing taxes to support traffic, tourism and jobs growth.

Ryanair wants to grow in Greece – as it is in other more competitive countries across Europe – but can only do so if Fraport Greece freezes airport charges and passes the -75% Airport Development Fee reduction on to all airlines and passengers to stimulate capacity growth and investment, instead of lining the pockets of its German shareholder. Ryanair calls on the Greek Govt. to break up the Fraport Greece monopoly, which will bring much needed competition to the Greek aviation market.“