[kanox]

> Its purpose is providing independent access to space for ESA member nations at a reasonable price

> Ariane's goal is not to win the most commercial contracts or compete with SpaceX on price

Winning commercial contracts is how the price is kept reasonable. As you pointed out fixed costs are very large and launching GTO satellites helps spread them around.

If SpaceX kicks Ariane out of the commercial market then ESA governments will have to pay more for their own launches.