Ryanair Cuts Routes Across Europe, Impacting Millions in 2026

Ryanair has announced significant cuts to its route network for 2026, affecting millions of passengers across Europe. The budget airline will discontinue numerous flights, particularly in Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and Portugal. This decision follows a challenging year marked by rising operational costs and regulatory pressures, which have led to a substantial reduction in capacity.

Major Route Reductions in Germany

In October 2025, Ryanair confirmed it would be eliminating **24 routes** to and from Germany, resulting in a loss of nearly **800,000 seats** for the upcoming Winter 2025/2026 schedule. Airports such as Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt-Hahn will see operations suspended. Ryanair has cited high air traffic control fees and aviation taxes as primary reasons for these cuts.

Ryanair’s CEO, **Michael O’Leary**, criticized the German government’s approach, stating, “Germany’s sky-high access costs are in stark contrast with countries such as Ireland and Spain.” He noted that such financial burdens hinder competitive pricing and have left Germany lagging in post-COVID air traffic recovery, operating at just **88%** of pre-pandemic levels.

Impacts on Spain and Other Countries

The airline will also reduce its capacity to Spain by approximately **1.2 million seats** in the summer of 2026. Significant route cuts include all flights to Asturias and Vigo, with the base in Santiago de Compostela closing. Ryanair has attributed these changes to ongoing disputes with the Spanish airport operator Aena over rising fees.

The airline’s strategy is shifting towards larger airports where demand is higher. Ryanair pointed out that regional airports in Spain face increased competition from lower-cost options in Morocco and Italy.

In France, Ryanair has slashed **25 routes** and **750,000 seats** due to elevated airline taxes. Although flights to Bergerac are set to resume in summer 2026 after negotiations, operations to Brive and Strasbourg remain suspended. Ryanair has warned that further cancellations may occur if conditions do not improve.

Belgium is not spared, with Ryanair planning to eliminate **20 routes** and **one million seats** from its operations as a result of a new aviation tax increasing charges to **€10** per passenger. The airline has urged the Belgian government to reconsider this tax strategy, warning of potential negative impacts on tourism and traffic.

Ryanair is also cutting all six of its routes to the **Azores** from March 2026, affecting around **400,000** passengers annually. This decision stems from increased air traffic control fees and a new **€2** travel tax in Portugal, which Ryanair has criticized as counterproductive.

In the Balkans, the airline will reduce flights from **Banja Luka** and **Niš** to allocate resources to more profitable routes in **Croatia**.

As these cuts take effect, Ryanair faces significant competition from other airlines, including Vueling and Iberia, which are likely to fill the gaps left by the reduced service. The airline has expressed willingness to reinstate routes and increase capacity if the regulatory environment improves.

Ryanair’s strategic alterations highlight the ongoing challenges faced by airlines in navigating fluctuating costs and regulatory landscapes, with implications for air travel accessibility across Europe.