Europe Loses Over 4M Ryanair Seats as Airport Taxes Rise

Ryanair has confirmed significant route and capacity cuts across Europe in 2026, citing rising airport taxes and increasing air traffic control costs.

Capacity is being reduced in higher-cost markets while aircraft are redeployed to lower-cost regions with stronger demand and more favorable operating conditions.

Germany

Germany will be one of the hardest-hit markets. Ryanair plans to cut 24 routes and nearly 800,000 seats to and from German airports.

The airline cited high airport charges and air navigation fees as the primary reasons for the reductions, which further weaken connectivity at secondary and regional airports.

Spain

After removing about 1 million seats during Winter 2025, Ryanair plans to cut an additional 1.2 million seats from regional Spanish airports in Summer 2026.

The airline blamed higher airport fees imposed by airport operator Aena, along with government penalties related to cabin baggage charges, which Ryanair says have increased operating costs.

France

France already lost 25 Ryanair routes and around 750,000 seats following the suspension of all services to Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg.

Ryanair attributed the decision to higher taxes, warning that more French regional airports could lose service if tax policies do not change.

Belgium

Belgium will see reductions during the Winter 2026-27 schedule, with Ryanair removing 20 routes and about 1 million seats. This represents a 22 percent reduction in Belgian capacity and includes the withdrawal of 5 aircraft.

The airline pointed to a new aviation tax that doubled passenger charges to €10 ($11.7) as the main driver of the cuts.

Portugal

Ryanair will cancel all 6 routes serving the Azores from the end of March 2026, affecting about 400,000 passengers annually. This equates to a 22 percent reduction in Portuguese capacity and reduces connectivity between the islands and mainland hubs such as Porto and Lisbon.

Ryanair cited rising air traffic control fees, airport staffing issues, and labor strikes as contributing factors.

Competitors move in to fill gaps

Ryanair’s network cuts are creating opportunities for competing airlines. Vueling, part of International Airlines Group, plans to add nearly 1.5 million seats to Spanish routes this winter, including a 15 percent increase from Santiago and an 11 percent increase from Tenerife Norte.

Other carriers, including Iberia Express, Binter, Volotea, and Wizz Air, are also expanding. Wizz Air has announced plans to launch 40 new routes from Spain by March 2026, partially offsetting Ryanair’s withdrawal.

Photo by Nastya Dulhiier on Unsplash