FRAPORT GREECE LOSING TRAFFIC DUE TO HIGH AIRPORT FEES

Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, today (4 June) criticised Fraport Greece’s plans to more than quadruple Kalamata Airport’s fees when the monopoly airport operator takes over this year. Fraport Greece has already increased airport fees at other Greek airports by 66% since Covid and failed to pass on the Greek Govt’s 75% reduction to the Airport Development Fee (ADF), and as a result, Ryanair was forced to close its three aircraft Thessaloniki base and cease operations at Chania and Heraklion for Winter 2026. Fraport Greece is now adding Kalamata to its list of casualties by raising fees +390% – making yet another regional Greek airport hopelessly uncompetitive, which will inevitably result in more traffic cuts and chronic seasonality in the tourism sector. 

Ryanair calls on the Greek Govt – who is set to receive to significant revenues from the deal – to explain why they are presiding over these poor concession contracts, which will do nothing but harm Greece’s competitiveness while lining the pockets of the German-run airport operator.

Ryanair CCO, Jason McGuinness, said:

“It is beyond belief that the German-run Fraport Greece monopoly is planning to quadruple fees at Kalamata Airport. Ryanair has already been forced to close our three aircraft Thessaloniki base and cease operations at Chania and Heraklion for Winter 2026 as a result of the monopoly airport operator’s price hikes. Now they are planning to do the same at Kalamata. It makes zero sense.

This excessive and unjustified increase will make Kalamata uncompetitive overnight and will inevitably lead to traffic cuts, reduced choice for passengers, and lost tourism revenue for the Greece’s regional economies. Once again, Fraport Greece’s monopoly pricing is damaging regional Greece, and unless reversed, Greek passengers and tourism will pay the price – particularly in the off-peak shoulder and Winter months.

There is an opportunity for Kalamata and other Greek airports to secure significant year-round traffic growth and reduce chronic seasonality, however, this investment can only be delivered if Fraport Greece freezes airport charges and passes the full 75% Airport Development Fee reduction on to passengers at all airports.”