Ryanair (RYAAY) has called on Maurici Lucena, chief executive officer of Aena, which manages the majority of Spain's airports, to reduce regional airport fees, claiming that rising fees are harming air traffic, tourism, and employment, the budget airline said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Ryanair said it will reduce its capacity for winter 2025 by 41% in Spanish regions and by 10% in the Canary Islands, as well as close its two-aircraft base in Santiago, due to "excessive and uncompetitive airport charges" levied by Aena.

The Spanish airport operator has recently decided to increase charges by 6.62% starting next year, the highest in more than a decade, Ryanair said.

Aena did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

Shares of Ryanair were up nearly 2% in recent Friday trading.