Ryanair has announced significant cuts to its flight routes for 2026, impacting millions of passengers across Europe. The budget airline will eliminate several key connections in countries such as Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and Portugal, leading to a reduction of approximately three million seats. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of increasing operational costs and regulatory pressures affecting the airline’s competitiveness in various markets.
Major Route Reductions Across Europe
In a statement released in October 2025, Ryanair indicated that it would cut **24 routes** to and from **Germany** for the **Winter 2025/2026** schedule, resulting in a loss of nearly **800,000 seats**. Affected airports include **Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Memmingen, Frankfurt-Hahn, Dresden, Dortmund**, and **Leipzig**. The airline has cited high air traffic control (ATC) fees and German aviation taxes as primary reasons for these reductions. Ryanair’s CEO, **Michael O’Leary**, criticized the German government, claiming that its policies hinder the airline’s ability to compete effectively.
Ryanair pointed out that Germany’s access costs are significantly higher compared to other European countries, impacting the recovery of air traffic, which is currently at just **88 percent** of pre-COVID levels. The airline has warned that if the government does not address these issues, further cuts could follow.
Meanwhile, in **Spain**, Ryanair plans to cut around **1.2 million seats** from its **Summer 2026** schedule. This will see the discontinuation of flights to **Asturias**, **Vigo**, and the closure of its base in **Santiago de Compostela**. Ongoing disputes with **Aena**, the Spanish airport operator, over increased taxes and fees have prompted these reductions. Ryanair has argued that such pricing policies make regional airports less competitive compared to alternatives in **Morocco** and **Italy**.
Impacts on Other European Markets
The airline’s route cuts will extend to **France**, where **25 routes** and **750,000 seats** will be eliminated in the winter of 2025. While flights to **Bergerac** are set to resume in **Summer 2026**, services to **Brive** and **Strasbourg** will remain suspended. Ryanair’s chief commercial officer has indicated that further cancellations may occur if conditions do not improve.
In **Belgium**, Ryanair intends to remove **20 routes** and reduce capacity by **one million seats** for the **Winter 2026/27** schedule. A new aviation tax imposed by the Belgian government, which will double charges to **€10** per passenger, has been cited as a major factor behind these cuts. Ryanair emphasized that the government should reconsider this tax to stimulate traffic and tourism.
Additionally, the airline will cease all **six routes** to the **Azores** from the end of March next year. This decision is expected to impact around **400,000** passengers annually. The airline attributes these cuts to rising ATC fees from **ANA** (Vinci) and the introduction of a **€2** travel tax in Portugal, which Ryanair has criticized as counterproductive to fostering growth in the region.
Beyond these countries, Ryanair is also scaling back operations in **Bosnia** and **Serbia**, reallocating resources to regions with higher summer demand, such as **Croatia**. This includes reducing flights from **Banja Luka** and **Niš**.
Ryanair’s recent announcements signal a significant shift in its operational strategy across Europe. With increasing pressures from regulatory bodies and a challenging economic landscape, the airline is repositioning itself to maintain competitiveness. While the cuts will affect many travelers, the airline maintains that it is open to expanding capacity again if the conditions improve.
