Published on
January 12, 2026
Europe’s travel and tourism landscape is set for a notable reshaping as Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, prepares for a wide-ranging network adjustment in 2026. A significant reduction in capacity has been confirmed across several major and regional markets, including Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Portugal, Bosnia, and Serbia, with nearly three million seats expected to be removed from schedules. These changes are being driven by escalating airport charges, rising aviation taxes, higher air traffic control costs, and regulatory pressures that have made operations less economically viable in certain regions.
Rather than signaling a retreat from Europe, the strategy has been framed as a reallocation of resources toward destinations offering more competitive operating environments and stronger demand. Aircraft are expected to be redeployed to lower-cost and tourism-focused markets such as Croatia, reinforcing Ryanair’s long-term emphasis on affordable leisure travel. From a travel and tourism perspective, the adjustments are expected to have uneven impacts, with some regions facing reduced connectivity while others benefit from increased frequencies and new routes. As summer 2026 approaches, travelers, tourism authorities, and regional airports across Europe are being urged to prepare for a reshaped route map that reflects broader economic and policy-driven pressures on short-haul aviation.
Europe-Wide Network Realignment for 2026
A broad realignment of Ryanair’s European network has been confirmed for 2026, with capacity being withdrawn from higher-cost markets and redirected to regions offering lower operating expenses and supportive policy frameworks. The airline has emphasized that the move represents strategic optimization rather than contraction. While several countries are facing reductions, growth is being pursued elsewhere, particularly in destinations with strong inbound tourism demand and cost-efficient airport structures.
Operational challenges experienced in recent years, including delayed aircraft deliveries from Boeing and evolving passenger service policies, have also influenced planning. Despite these hurdles, passenger growth and investment remain core objectives, with selective expansion continuing in parts of the United Kingdom, Italy, and Northern Europe.
Germany Facing Significant Winter and Year-Round Reductions
Germany is expected to be among the most affected markets, with 24 routes and almost 800,000 seats scheduled for removal during the Winter 2025–26 season. Several airports are impacted, including Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Hamburg Airport, Cologne Bonn Airport, Memmingen Airport, Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, Leipzig Halle Airport, Dresden Airport, and Dortmund Airport.
Operations at Leipzig, Dresden, and Dortmund are expected to remain suspended throughout 2026. These decisions have been linked to high air traffic control charges, elevated security fees, aviation taxes, and frequent changes in airport cost structures. Germany’s slower recovery from pre-pandemic traffic levels has also been cited, with national volumes remaining below full recovery compared to other European markets. For tourism-dependent regions, the reduction is expected to limit affordable inbound travel options and reduce outbound leisure choices for German travelers.
Spain Sees Deep Cuts to Regional Connectivity
Spain is facing one of the largest cumulative capacity reductions in Ryanair’s 2026 plan. Following the removal of around one million seats in winter 2025, an additional 1.2 million seats are set to be withdrawn from regional Spanish airports during summer 2026.
Full withdrawals are planned from Asturias Airport and Vigo Airport, while the Santiago de Compostela base is set to close. Capacity reductions are also scheduled at Santander Airport and Zaragoza Airport, and all flights to Tenerife North Airport are to be suspended. The Jerez and Valladolid bases are expected to remain closed.
These changes have been attributed to rising airport fees imposed by Aena and regulatory penalties related to cabin baggage policies. From a tourism standpoint, concerns have been raised about reduced accessibility to northern and regional destinations that rely heavily on low-cost air travel to attract international visitors.
France Experiences Mixed Outcomes Amid Tax Pressures
France has already experienced notable route losses, with 25 routes and approximately 750,000 seats removed during winter 2025. Services to Bergerac Airport, Brive Airport, and Strasbourg Airport were suspended as a result of higher airline taxes.
A partial reversal is planned for summer 2026, with flights to Bergerac set to resume following discussions with French authorities. However, services to Brive and Strasbourg are expected to remain suspended. Warnings have been issued that additional regional exits remain possible if tax conditions do not improve. For French regional tourism, the situation underscores ongoing tension between fiscal policy and the need for affordable air connectivity.
Belgium Braced for Sharp Capacity Reduction
Belgium is expected to see one of the steepest proportional reductions, with 20 routes and around one million seats removed during the Winter 2026–27 schedule. Both Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport are affected, representing a 22 percent reduction in national capacity and the withdrawal of five aircraft.
The primary driver has been identified as a new aviation tax that doubles passenger charges to €10. Several leisure-oriented routes, including services to Milan Bergamo, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome Ciampino, Krakow, and Mallorca, are included in the cuts. Tourism stakeholders have expressed concern that higher travel costs could reduce Belgium’s competitiveness as both an origin and destination market.
Portugal Loses Azores Connectivity
Portugal is set to lose all six Ryanair routes to the Azores from the end of March 2026, impacting an estimated 400,000 passengers annually. This represents a 22 percent reduction in Portuguese capacity and affects connections with Porto Airport and Lisbon Airport.
The decision has been linked to rising air traffic control fees, increased operating costs, airport staff strikes, and EU environmental measures such as the Emissions Trading System. A new €2 Portuguese travel tax has further contributed to cost pressures. While airport authorities have disputed claims of excessive fees, the loss of routes is expected to have a tangible impact on tourism flows to the Azores.
Bosnia and Serbia See Targeted Balkan Reductions
In the Balkans, operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are set to be scaled back during summer 2026. At Banja Luka Airport, weekly departures are being reduced from six to two, affecting routes to Vienna, Memmingen, and Baden-Baden. At Niš Airport, two weekly flights are being cut, including services to Vienna and Malta.
These aircraft are expected to be redeployed to higher-demand tourism markets such as Croatia, reflecting a broader shift toward leisure-focused destinations with stronger seasonal performance.
Implications for European Travel and Tourism
The 2026 route cuts are expected to reshape travel patterns across Europe, particularly for price-sensitive leisure travelers. Regions losing services may face reduced visitor numbers and higher fares, while destinations gaining capacity could see increased tourism flows. The developments highlight the growing influence of taxation and airport pricing on airline network decisions and underscore the delicate balance between regulation and tourism growth.
