On May 8, 2026, Ryanair announced that it will close its Thessaloniki base, consisting of three aircraft, in the 2026/27 winter schedule, thereby significantly reducing its capacity in Greece. The airline and the Greek airport operator speak differently about the decision: according to Ryanair, increasing airport fees and the lack of fee reductions made winter operations unprofitable, while the other side considers the argument exaggerated and partly a pretext. For Hungarian travelers, the most important message is that the summer season is not in immediate danger, but for autumn-winter and early spring Greek flights, one should be prepared for a narrower selection, weaker price competition, and a greater need for planning, especially regarding Thessaloniki and Northern Greece.
This is not insignificant news from Hungary's perspective, as Thessaloniki is one of the most important and practical entry points to Northern Greece. The city and the surrounding region are not only independent sightseeing destinations but also starting bases for Halkidiki, Pieria, Kavala, or even overland circuits. Those currently searching for flights from Budapest to Thessaloniki still have plenty of choices, and this announcement does not override the current summer offer. The question is rather what happens when the peak season ends, demand softens, and airlines select among winter routes.
What exactly did Ryanair announce?
According to the airline's statement, a total of 700,000 seats will be cut in Greece during the 2026 winter period, which, according to its own calculations, corresponds to a 45 percent decrease compared to the previous winter. The most important element is the closure of the three-aircraft Thessaloniki base. Ryanair claims that this alone means the loss of approximately 500,000 seats and the discontinuation of ten Thessaloniki routes compared to the 2025/26 winter. The statement specifically mentions the loss of routes to Berlin, Chania, Frankfurt-Hahn, Gothenburg, Heraklion, Niederrhein, Poznan, Stockholm, Venice-Treviso, and Zagreb, and it would also withdraw capacity from Athens.
It is important, however, to be precise: Thessaloniki airport is not closing, nor is Greece suddenly becoming difficult to reach. This is a decision by one airline regarding its own winter base, which nevertheless can have far-reaching consequences because the discount model is particularly sensitive to winter cost levels. If a major low-cost player withdraws base aircraft, the effect is usually seen not only in the direct route list but also in prices, the frequency of departure days, forced transfers, and how aggressively other market players compete.
What is behind the dispute?
According to Ryanair, the Greek state reduced the Airport Development Fee by 75 percent starting from November 2024, from 12 euros to 3 euros per passenger, to support year-round connectivity and tourism. The airline claims that Fraport Greece, which operates the regional airports, did not pass this benefit on to passengers and airlines; moreover, according to the company's statement, the fee level in Thessaloniki is already 66 percent higher than in the pre-pandemic period.
The situation is more nuanced than a single press release suggests. Fraport Greece's fee determination on January 30 indeed fixed that from April 1, 2026, certain fee elements would increase, and according to the document, the passenger fee applied at Thessaloniki airport was modified from 15.5 euros to 15.7 euros in cases where the ADF exemption is applicable. This does not explain all market tensions on its own, but it confirms that this is not merely a communication dispute: the fee environment has indeed become a sensitive issue in Greek winter aviation.
Meanwhile, it has appeared in the Greek press that the airport operator disputes Ryanair's accusations, considering them partly unfounded and partly a communication justification for the airline's own business decision. This is important for the Hungarian reader because it is not worth drawing the simplified conclusion from the story that Northern Greek air connections are collapsing due to the fault of a single player. In reality, it is about the tension that has re-emerged between the seasonal tourism market and airport fee policy.
Why is Thessaloniki such a sensitive point?
Thessaloniki is not a destination kept alive exclusively by summer beach tourism. The city is also a business, cultural, and regional transport hub, but winter demand is far more fragile than summer demand. That is why it depends heavily on how low a cost level a low-cost airline can maintain. Ryanair also emphasized that last winter, the proportion of international capacity it offered was decisive in Thessaloniki. This figure should be handled with caution, as we are talking about a corporate communication, but it does not change the essence: the company has exerted significant price pressure on the market until now.
Meanwhile, the latest traffic data from Fraport Greece show that Thessaloniki airport did not weaken in the first quarter of 2026. In the January–March period, the number of international flights increased by 8.3 percent, and the total number of flights increased by 6.1 percent compared to the same period last year. This indicates that there is still strength in the market on the demand side. That is why the current conflict is particularly interesting: we are not talking about a plummeting, uninteresting destination, but a functioning, developing airport where a dispute has arisen around winter profitability and fee levels.
What could this mean for Hungarian travelers?
Briefly, the summer of 2026 does not need to be written off yet, but greater caution will be needed when planning for winter 2026/27 in Greece. Those planning an autumn city visit, a long weekend before Advent, a winter trip to Northern Greece, or an early spring trip should monitor schedules and price trends sooner. If a major player narrows its offer, ticket prices do not necessarily jump immediately, but the cheapest stock may run out faster, ideal departure days may become rarer, and the likelihood that the passenger will have to make a compromise may increase.
This is especially important for those traveling further from Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki airport is not a final destination for many, but a gateway to Halkidiki, the northern Greek coast, or the cities of the region. In such cases, not only the ticket price matters, but also how predictable the schedule is, how late the flight arrives, and how well ground transport can be coordinated. Those who would rent a car still have other solutions, but the selection and timing may become more sensitive; reviewing car rental options or airport transfer options in advance can help.
From the perspective of Hungarian travelers, there is a second, less visible consequence: if low-cost competition weakens, the entire Northern Greek travel chain could become more expensive. Not only the plane ticket, but also accommodation around the airport, late-evening transfers, and even supplementary services bookable with flexible dates could increase in price. This is especially true if someone is going on a short trip and has no room to leave a day earlier or later.
Is it worth changing plans now?
There is no reason for panic, but there is for more conscious planning than usual. The current announcement primarily concerns the winter schedule period, meaning that summer Greek flights will not disappear en masse in the coming weeks. Those who have already booked for the summer of 2026 should focus on schedule updates rather than immediate replanning. However, those searching for trips for autumn 2026, winter, or early spring 2027 should not wait too long, especially if they insist on a direct flight or a short travel time.
Alternatives can, of course, remain. Other airlines, other Greek airports, or in some cases connecting routes may still be available. But the main question is not whether it will be possible to get to Thessaloniki at all, but how cheap, simple, and convenient this journey will remain. Greek tourism is strong, demand exists; however, in the winter season, every cost element counts.
What is the bigger lesson here?
The current case clearly shows that in tourism, it is not only whether there is demand for a destination that matters, but also in what cost environment airlines can serve this demand in the weaker months. Thessaloniki and Northern Greece will remain attractive destinations for the Hungarian market, and this is reinforced by recent Greek tourism news, including the image that Greece is preparing with strong summer attraction in 2026. However, the current news warns that a good destination alone is not a guarantee for cheap and frequent winter air offers.
If the dispute between Ryanair and the Greek airport side is not resolved, more passengers may face the fact in the coming months that the previously self-evident low-cost accessibility is no longer the same as it was one or two years ago. The most practical conclusion for the Hungarian traveler is that Thessaloniki continues to be a good choice, but in the 2026/27 winter period, it will be much less worthwhile to leave the booking until the last minute.