Ryanair has announced plans to scale back or completely withdraw operations from several major European airports, citing rising airport charges, higher taxes, and a shortage of new aircraft as key reasons for the move.
The low-cost carrier announced that it will reduce or discontinue services in France, Germany, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain, while expanding capacity in lower-cost destinations, including Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Albania, and Morocco.
The Irish airline, which operates more than 3,600 daily flights from 90 bases across 37 countries, said it would “focus growth on markets where airport partners maintain competitive costs and support long-term expansion.”
Spain is hit by fee increases.
In Spain, Ryanair has been one of the loudest critics of Aena’s plan to raise airport fees by 6.5% starting in 2026 — the first increase in over a decade. The airline argues that the move, which will lift the average charge to around €11 per passenger, will make Spain less competitive for low-cost travel.
A company spokesperson said the airline “cannot sustain low fares while absorbing rising airport taxes,” and added that the review of its Spanish operations could lead to reductions in routes or frequencies at certain airports next year.
Industry analysts note that Ryanair’s decision mirrors a broader challenge across the aviation sector — a shortage of available aircraft caused by delivery delays from both Airbus and Boeing, which has constrained airlines’ ability to expand capacity.
Major pullbacks in France and Germany
In France, Ryanair confirmed it will end all flights from Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg, eliminating 25 winter routes — equivalent to around 750,000 seats, or 13% of its capacity in the country. The airline will also cut capacity at Paris-Beauvais by 8%, Marseille by 9%, and Toulouse by 4%.
The impact in Germany will be even more severe. Ryanair plans to withdraw approximately 800,000 seats, or about 10% of its German network, and abandon nine “high-cost” airports, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne. It will, however, maintain flights at select regional hubs that remain commercially viable.
Vienna and the Baltics were affected
In Austria, three routes from Vienna Airport — to Billund (Denmark), Santander (Spain), and Tallinn (Estonia) — will be cut due to what Ryanair described as “unjustifiable airport fee hikes” of up to 30% since the pandemic.
Ryanair’s capacity in the Baltic region will also fall sharply. In Riga, Latvia, seven international routes will be scrapped, representing around 160,000 passengers or 20% of capacity. In Estonia, services from Tallinn will be reduced by 40%, equivalent to about 110,000 seats, after airport fees there soared by 70%.
Lithuania will see no growth, with Ryanair citing 30% higher charges in Vilnius and 7% increases in Palanga, a popular coastal airport.
Portugal’s expansion continues
While Ryanair is pulling out of several high-cost airports, the airline continues to expand in Portugal. Chief Executive Michael O’Leary announced new winter routes from Porto, Faro, and Funchal, while again criticising the slow progress of Lisbon’s new airport project and renewing his call to approve Montijo Airport as the capital’s low-cost alternative.
O’Leary also urged the Portuguese government to “fully privatise TAP Air Portugal,” claiming that Ryanair could bring millions more tourists if given greater access to Lisbon slots.
Strategic pivot toward lower-cost growth
Aviation analysts see Ryanair’s retrenchment as part of a strategic pivot away from high-cost Western European airports toward smaller markets that offer incentives and lower landing charges.
“The move shows how airlines are refocusing growth where margins are strongest,” said one Dublin-based aviation consultant. “Ryanair’s model depends on low base costs — and with aircraft shortages, it’s logical to prioritise profitable routes.”
Ryanair currently carries more than 200 million passengers annually and operates one of the youngest fleets in Europe. However, supply bottlenecks at Boeing, which have delayed deliveries of the 737 MAX aircraft, have forced the airline to reallocate capacity more aggressively than planned.
Despite the pullbacks, Ryanair insists it remains “committed to serving passengers where airports work to keep costs under control,” and says further route announcements will be made in the coming weeks.