Ryanair is reducing flights across Europe, impacting routes in Germany, Spain, and France, citing high airport fees, and taxes. The airline announced the cuts, which will affect both winter and summer schedules, blaming what it calls “excessive access costs” at several regional airports.
In Germany, Ryanair will remove over 800,000 seats and cancel 24 routes across nine airports for the Winter 2025 schedule, according to the airline. Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig airports will remain closed to Ryanair flights. Dara Brady, Ryanair’s marketing chief, stated the cuts were “entirely avoidable,” and attributed them to a 24 percent rise in aviation tax imposed by the German government, which he claims is “killing air travel with taxes.”
Spain is similarly facing significant reductions. Ryanair initially announced a cut of around 800,000 summer seats in January 2025. This was later increased to a total of 2 million seats cut with operations ceasing at Jerez and Valladolid airports. The airline accuses Spanish airport operator Aena of imposing ‘excessive’ fees. Aena responded by stating the fee increase amounted to only €0.68 per passenger and accused Ryanair of spreading “lies.”
The cuts extend to France, with Ryanair adding another French airport to its list of route reductions for 2026. Specific details regarding the French airport cuts were not immediately available.
While Ryanair is reducing capacity in some markets, the airline’s CEO has reported a boom in bookings across Europe, attributing the increase to travelers opting for vacations within the continent. This shift comes as bookings to the Middle East have “collapsed” following recent regional conflicts, according to the CEO.
The airline’s decisions are impacting the competitive landscape, with Ryanair suggesting that regional Spanish airports are becoming less competitive compared to lower-cost alternatives in Morocco and Italy.
