Ryanair has announced significant route cuts across Europe for 2026, impacting millions of passengers. The budget airline, which has experienced both growth and challenges in 2025, will eliminate numerous flights primarily due to increased operational costs and high taxes imposed by various governments. This decision will result in a reduction of approximately three million seats, affecting travel connections to popular destinations in Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, and Portugal.
Significant Route Reductions in Germany and Spain
In Germany, Ryanair plans to cut **24 routes** for the winter 2025/2026 schedule, leading to a reduction of nearly **800,000 seats**. Airports in **Hamburg**, **Berlin**, **Cologne**, and **Frankfurt-Hahn** are among those affected. Operations at **Leipzig**, **Dresden**, and **Dortmund** will remain suspended throughout 2026. Ryanair’s CEO, **Michael O’Leary**, criticized the German government’s aviation taxes and fees, attributing these cuts to the high costs that hinder competitiveness compared to countries like Ireland and Spain.
Similarly, in Spain, Ryanair will reduce capacity by about **1.2 million seats** in its summer 2026 schedule. Flights to **Asturias** and **Vigo** will be discontinued, and the airline will close its base at **Santiago de Compostela**. Other notable reductions include cuts to services in **Santander** and **Zaragoza**. The airline has cited ongoing disputes with Spanish airport operator **Aena** over escalating fees as a primary reason for these cuts.
Impact on Routes in France, Belgium, and Portugal
Ryanair is also making substantial cuts in France, eliminating **750,000 seats** and **25 routes** in its winter 2025 schedule. Services to **Bergerac**, **Brive**, and **Strasbourg** have already ceased, although flights to Bergerac may resume in summer 2026 after negotiations. Ryanair has warned that further cancellations could occur if conditions do not improve.
In Belgium, the airline will withdraw **20 routes** for the winter 2026/27 schedule, cutting around **one million seats**. The introduction of a new aviation tax that doubles the charge to **€10** per passenger has prompted this decision. Ryanair has urged the Belgian government to reconsider this tax to avoid a collapse in air traffic and rising fares.
Portugal will see all six of Ryanair’s routes to the **Azores** cut, affecting around **400,000 passengers** annually. This represents a **22 percent** reduction in Ryanair’s Portuguese capacity. The airline has attributed this move to high air traffic control fees imposed by **ANA (Vinci)** and new EU taxes. Ryanair has criticized the lack of competition within Portugal’s airport system, which it claims allows for excessive fee increases.
Ryanair’s decisions reflect broader trends in the airline industry, where operational costs and regulatory environments significantly impact route viability. As the airline reallocates its resources to more competitive markets, it remains open to increasing capacity should conditions improve in these affected regions.
