{"id":5844,"date":"2026-03-12T07:23:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:23:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/5844\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T07:23:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:23:10","slug":"spain-joins-france-germany-belgium-portugal-and-more-as-ryanair-announces-major-route-reductions-cutting-flights-to-popular-destinations-like-hamburg-dublin-belfast-vigo-berlin-and-beyond-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/5844\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain Joins France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and More as Ryanair Announces Major Route Reductions, Cutting Flights to Popular Destinations like Hamburg, Dublin, Belfast, Vigo, Berlin, and Beyond in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Home<\/a> \u00bb TRAVEL NEWS<\/a> \u00bb Spain Joins France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and More as Ryanair Announces Major Route Reductions, Cutting Flights to Popular Destinations like Hamburg, Dublin, Belfast, Vigo, Berlin, and Beyond in 2026 <\/p>\n

Published on
\nMarch 12, 2026<\/p>\n

\"Spain France\"<\/p>\n

Image generated with Ai<\/p>\n

Spain joins France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and more as Ryanair announces major route reductions, cutting flights to popular destinations like Hamburg, Dublin, Belfast, Vigo, Berlin, and beyond in 2026. This strategic move is driven by rising operational costs, increased taxes, and changing demand across several European markets. The airline has decided to streamline its network, focusing on more profitable routes and shifting capacity to larger airports with greater passenger demand. As a result, many smaller cities and regional airports will see a reduction in connectivity, significantly impacting travelers in those areas.<\/p>\n

Ryanair had a transformative year in 2025, with significant changes and announcements shaping its operations across Europe. The airline expanded its winter schedule, particularly in the UK, Finland, and Italy, and introduced new routes such as London to Murcia and Rovaniemi to the UK. Ryanair also planned to boost passenger numbers and make substantial investments in its bases, including Bologna. Despite these ambitious expansions, Ryanair faced several challenges, notably delays with its Boeing fleet. The airline also made the controversial decision to phase out physical boarding passes, which received significant backlash from passengers.<\/p>\n

However, one of the most impactful announcements came when Ryanair revealed plans to cut several routes in 2026. These cuts, affecting major destinations such as Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal, could reduce the airline\u2019s seat capacity by up to three million. This reduction will likely impact smaller cities, limiting their connectivity and reducing passenger convenience.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Route Cuts in Germany<\/p>\n

In October 2025, Ryanair confirmed its decision to eliminate 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats for the winter 2025\/2026 schedule. Airports affected by this reduction include Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Memmingen, Frankfurt-Hahn, Dresden, Dortmund, and Leipzig. Notably, operations will be suspended at Leipzig, Dresden, and Dortmund airports beyond the winter schedule into 2026.<\/p>\n

The airline blamed high air traffic control (ATC) fees, increased security costs, and higher German aviation taxes for this move. Additionally, frequent airport changes further impacted Ryanair\u2019s decision. The airline criticized the German government for failing to lower aviation taxes, unlike countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Poland, which have reduced their taxes to encourage growth. According to Ryanair, Germany\u2019s air traffic recovery remains the weakest in Europe, operating at just 88% of pre-COVID levels.<\/p>\n

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Ryanair warned that if these issues are not addressed, further cuts and capacity reductions could follow in Germany. However, the airline stated that it would be willing to increase capacity if the situation improved.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Route Cuts in Spain<\/p>\n

Ryanair also announced cuts in Spain, eliminating approximately 1.2 million seats from its summer 2026 schedule. This includes halting all flights to Asturias and Vigo and closing its base at Santiago de Compostela. The airline will also reduce capacity to destinations such as Santander, Zaragoza, and the Canary Islands. Furthermore, it has suspended services to Tenerife North during the winter, and the base in Jerez will remain closed through 2026.<\/p>\n

Ryanair attributed these reductions to conflicts with the Spanish airport operator Aena over increased taxes and airport fees. The airline claims these hikes have made regional Spanish airports less competitive compared to alternatives in Morocco and Italy. In response, Ryanair is shifting capacity to larger airports in Spain, where passenger demand is higher.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Cuts in France<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s operations in France will also be affected. The airline already reduced its French network by eliminating 750,000 seats and cutting 25 routes in 2025. This move was largely driven by rising French airline taxes. Ryanair announced in December 2025 that it would resume flights to Bergerac in summer 2026 after reaching an agreement with French authorities. However, services to Brive and Strasbourg will remain suspended.<\/p>\n

The airline warned that additional route cuts may occur in France in 2026. For example, Ryanair announced it would cease operations at Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport due to environmental taxes. The airline also plans to discontinue its Dublin-Rodez route.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Cuts in Belgium<\/p>\n

Belgium will also face reductions in Ryanair\u2019s operations. The airline will remove 20 routes and cut one million seats from its operations at Brussels and Charleroi airports for the winter 2026\/27 schedule. A new Belgian aviation tax, which will increase the charge to \u20ac10 per passenger, is a major reason for this cut. Ryanair has strongly criticized the Belgian government for introducing this tax, arguing it would hinder the country\u2019s air traffic recovery.<\/p>\n

Ryanair has called on the Belgian government to abolish this tax to stimulate traffic and tourism, warning that otherwise, airfares will rise, and traffic will decline, as has happened in Austria and Germany due to increased aviation taxes.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Cuts in Portugal<\/p>\n

Ryanair will also cut its routes to and from the Azores, stopping all six of its services by the end of March 2026. This decision will impact approximately 400,000 passengers annually. Ryanair has cited high air traffic control fees and EU taxes, such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), as reasons for this move. Additionally, a new \u20ac2 travel tax in Portugal has added further complications.<\/p>\n

Ryanair has criticized the monopoly held by ANA, the Portuguese airport operator, for increasing fees without facing competition. The airline has urged the Portuguese government to intervene to address these rising costs and ensure that airports in Portugal serve the public good rather than benefiting a foreign monopoly.<\/p>\n

Ryanair\u2019s Cuts in Other Countries<\/p>\n

Ryanair is also making cuts in Bosnia, Serbia, and Lithuania. In Bosnia, the airline will reduce its flights from Banja Luka, cutting services to Vienna, Memmingen, and Baden Baden. In Serbia, the airline will reduce the frequency of flights from Ni\u0161. Ryanair will also stop flying from Belfast to Kaunas and from Dublin to Palanga, and it will discontinue its route from Vilnius to Stockholm.<\/p>\n

These reductions reflect Ryanair\u2019s efforts to reallocate resources to regions with increasing demand, such as Croatia, where lower-cost airports are becoming more attractive.<\/p>\n

Spain joins France, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, and more as Ryanair announces major route reductions, cutting flights to popular destinations like Hamburg, Dublin, Belfast, Vigo, Berlin, and beyond in 2026. This decision comes in response to rising operational costs, increased taxes, and the airline\u2019s strategy to focus on more profitable routes.<\/p>\n

Overall, these changes indicate that Ryanair is adjusting its operations to deal with rising costs and taxes in key European markets. While the airline is making cuts in some areas, it continues to expand in others, focusing on markets with greater growth potential and lower operational costs.<\/p>\n

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