FLASH
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Concern has grown in Thessaloniki among authorities and the tourism sector following scenarios that foresee the closure of the Ryanair airline base from next autumn. Such a development would lead to significant reductions in flights and international connections at Macedonia Airport.
On this issue, an online meeting has been scheduled for May 5th between representatives of the Irish company and local institutions, with the aim of clarifying the situation and the company's official position.
Earlier, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, held an emergency meeting with representatives of tourism and regional institutions, where the possible impact of a reduction in flights on the local economy and the tourism sector was discussed.
The municipality announced that it has contacted the Secretary General of the Greek National Tourism Organization to coordinate actions, while it has also sent a letter to the Minister of Tourism, Olga Kefalogianni. The authorities also asked the company Fraport Greece, which manages the airport, to clarify whether the terms of cooperation with Ryanair have changed.
For its part, Ryanair has cited the increase in fees at Macedonia Airport as a possible reason for such decisions, a practice that the company has followed on other occasions in Europe when it considers certain bases less profitable.
Similar cases have been recorded previously in Greece, both at the airports of Chania and Kos, and recently in Berlin, where the company announced the closure of the base, reducing flights by 50% and relocating aircraft to lower-cost countries, including Albania.
There is no official decision yet on Thessaloniki, where Ryanair operates three aircraft. The uncertainty comes at a time of growth for Macedonia Airport, which saw passenger numbers rise by 5.1% in the first quarter of 2026 to 1.47 million.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Kalamaria, Chrysa Arapoglou, stressed that a possible withdrawal of the company would have a strategic impact on the region's economy and tourism. She called on state and local institutions to intervene in a coordinated manner to ensure the continuity of operations and strengthen the city's air connections.
Local authorities emphasize that the priority remains the protection of the city's interests and the sustainable development of the transport and tourism sector.
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