2025 is a big year for Ryanair, with the European low-cost carrier making some significant changes and announcements. The company revealed significant expansions to its winter schedule, particularly in the UK, Finland and Italy, and announced new routes such as London to Murcia and Rovaniemi to the UK. It also announced plans to increase passenger numbers and invest more in hubs such as Bologna.
On the other hand, there were some challenges, such as Boeing’s continued delays. ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary accused the airline’s management of “running around like headless chickens”. The company’s recent move to phase out physical boarding passes has also been met with significant backlash.
However, one of the most impactful announcements was Ryanair’s decision to cut several routes in 2026 across key destinations including: SpainFrance, Germany, Belgium, Portugal and more destinations will be added to the list in January.
While this measure could result in the elimination of approximately 3 million seats overall, it will have a significant impact on connections and passenger convenience in smaller cities.
Here are all the locations affected by Ryanair route cuts in 2026:
Which German routes will Ryanair cut in 2026?
In October 2025, Ryanair announced it would cut 24 round-trip routes. Germany – Approximately 800,000 seats will be reduced in the 2025/2026 winter schedule.
Nine airports have already been affected, including Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Memmingen, Frankfurt-Hahn, Dresden and Dortmund. leipzig. Leipzig, Dresden and Dortmund airports will continue to be suspended in 2026, beyond the winter schedule.
However, details have not yet been released as to which other airports may continue to be affected throughout the year.
Ryanair blamed the decision on high air traffic control (ATC) and security fees, as well as Germany’s high air taxes and numerous airport changes, and accused the government of hurting its competitiveness.
“Germany’s prohibitive access costs are linked to Ireland, Spain, Poland “In regions of Sweden, Hungary and Italy that do not have aviation taxes, aviation taxes are being abolished with reduced access costs to boost transport, tourism, employment and economic recovery,” the company said in an October press release.
“As a result, Germany remains among the worst-recovering air traffic markets in Europe, operating at just 88% of pre-COVID-19 levels.”
Ryanair also accused the German government of backtracking on its promise to lower prices. aviation tax, Unlike other major EU countries.
These taxes are in place, in part, to take into account the devastating impact of flying on the climate and to encourage travelers to use greener modes of transportation, such as: train.
The company also said it plans to move supply slots from Germany to other countries at more affordable costs, warning of possible withdrawal or further cuts if the situation does not improve.
However, airlines have said they would be willing to increase capacity again if the government addresses the above issues.
Which Spanish routes will Ryanair end in 2026?
Ryanair also announced that it would cut flights to Spain in 2026. After cutting approximately 1 million seats from the winter 2025 schedule, the company plans to cut approximately 1.2 million seats from the summer 2025 schedule. Spanish region.
This includes the suspension of all flights to Asturias and Vigo. The company will also close its base in Santiago de Compostela, while continuing to reduce capacity to Santander and Zaragoza and reduce connections to the Canary Islands.
All flights have been suspended tenerife island Heading north this winter. The base in Jerez is also closed this season and will remain closed in 2026. Similarly, all flights to Valladolid have been suspended and Ryanair’s base will be closed from winter 2024.
Ryanair continues to have disagreements with Spanish airport operator Aena over significant increases in taxes and airport fees, and what Ryanair claims is an “illegal baggage fine” from the Spanish government is also contributing to the price reduction (referring to 2024 regulations). control About additional carry-on baggage fees.
Ryanair says this will make Spain’s regional airports less competitive compared to other low-cost airports. Morocco such as Italy.
“Aena’s exclusive pricing approach is that smaller, less-used regional airports should charge similar fees to busy major airports like Madrid, Barcelona, Palma and Malaga. As a result, Ryanair is switching seat capacity to these larger Spanish airports (where passenger demand and airfares are higher),” the company said in an October press release.
The airline also said it is moving to lower-cost airports in Croatia, Morocco, Italy, Sweden and elsewhere. Albaniathe government reduced airport fees and reduced environmental taxes.
But rival airlines such as Vueling, Vintar, Iberia and Wizz Air have all stepped into the hole left by Ryanair, and offering many of the same routes could significantly reduce the inconvenience for passengers.
Which routes will Ryanair fly in France this year?
France Ryanair is also affected by job cuts in 2026. The airline has already cut 750,000 seats and 25 routes to France in winter 2025 after suspending all flights to Bergerac, Brives and Strasbourg. This is primarily due to an increase in French aviation taxes.
However, months after this decision, Ryanair announced in December that it would resume flights to Bergerac in summer 2026 after negotiations with French authorities, although flights to Brives and Strasbourg remain suspended.
Ryanair has warned of further cancellations in France in 2026. “Ryanair plans to exit French regional airports in the summer of 2026,” Ryanair’s chief commercial officer Jason McGuinness told Paris-based business magazine Challenges.
This warning is already bearing fruit. Ryanair announced in January 2026 that it would suspend operations at Clermont-Ferrand-Auvergne Airport from March 27 due to environmental taxes. The company currently operates low-cost flights from Clermont-Ferrand to London, Porto and Fes.
Which Belgian routes will Ryanair cut in 2026?
Ryanair removes 20 routes and 1 million seats Brussels Charleroi for the 2026/27 winter schedule.
As with other destinations, this is mainly due to Belgium’s new aviation tax, which will double the price to 10 euros per passenger. Additionally, Charleroi may also impose local taxes.
These impact destinations such as Milan-Bergamo, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome-Ciampino and Krakow. Mallorcaamong others. The decision will reduce Ryanair’s Belgian capacity by around 22% and mean Ryanair will also withdraw five aircraft from its Zaventem and Charleroi bases.
“If the government really wants to boost Belgium’s economy, it should abolish this harmful aviation tax, not double it, in order to increase traffic and tourism,” the airline said in a press release in early December.
“Ryanair once again calls on Prime Minister de Wever and his government to abolish aviation tax. Otherwise, Belgian transport will collapse and fares will soar, just as they did last year.” Austria And in Germany, the government has repeatedly raised access costs. ”
Which Ryanair routes will be discontinued in Portugal?
Ryanair plans to reduce flights on all six routes to and from the Azores from the end of March this year, impacting around 400,000 passengers a year. This represents a reduction of approximately 22 per cent of Ryanair’s Air Portugal capacity and will impact major cities such as Oporto and Oporto. lisbon In the same way.
This is mainly due to increases in air traffic control fees imposed by Portuguese airline ANA (Vinci) and EU taxes such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Azores Madeira Island, although long-distance routes are exempt.
This was fueled by a new €2 travel tax in Portugal, which Ryanair claimed was counterproductive compared to other EU countries.
Portuguese Operating costs have also increased in recent months, and a strike by airport workers has further complicated the situation.
“Unfortunately, the ANA monopoly has no plans to expand its low-fare connections to the Azores. The ANA monopoly faces no competition in Portugal and has been able to extract monopoly profits by increasing airport fees in Portugal without penalty, while competing EU airports have lowered fees to foster growth,” Ryanair said in a press release in late November.
“The Portuguese government must step in and ensure that airports, which are an important part of the national infrastructure, are used for the benefit of the Portuguese people and not for the benefit of the French airport monopoly, especially in island economies like the Azores.”
However, ANA categorically denied these claims of monopoly abuse, saying that dialogue remained open and that rates in the Azores were low.
Ryanair flights reduced in Bosnia and Serbia
Ryanair has also implemented reductions across Bosnia. Serbia This is primarily aimed at reallocating resources to regions where summer demand increases, such as Croatia.
This includes reducing six weekly flights from Banja Luka and reducing flights to Vienna, Memmingen and Baden-Baden to two weekly rotations.
Nis will cut two weekly flights, including one each to Vienna and Malta.