Low-cost carrier Ryanair announced on July 30 to implement a 13% reduction in its capacity in France in winter season 2025/2026. The announcement results in the removal of 750,000 seats, the cancellation of 25 routes, and the cessation of its operations at Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg airports.

In Bergerac (Southwest France), the President of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, mentioned on a national news broadcast to envision a possible closure of the airport.

Ryanair‘s decision follows the French government’s failure to cancel the excessive increase in the air tax, which was raised by 180% in March 2025.

This announcement comes after numerous warnings from airlines and French airports that this new tax would make many routes to France unprofitable. Particularly at regional airports and during the winter season.

France stubborn high air taxes

This astronomical tax makes France less competitive compared to other EU countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Poland, which do not impose any air taxes. In Sweden, Hungary, and certain regions of Italy, taxes have been abolished to stimulate traffic, tourism, employment, and economic recovery.

Without urgent action, France risks losing even more capacity and investment to more competitive markets by summer 2026. While French regional airports will stay half empty, aviation-friendly EU countries will attract investment from airlines. Especially as the growth in capacity is increasingly selective due to the shortage of aircraft.

If France decides to completely abolish this harmful aviation tax, Ryanair could envisage ambitious growth in the country in the coming years. That would include an investment of $2.5 billion (25 new aircraft). It would translate into a doubling of traffic to over 30 million passengers per year. It would also generate 750 additional jobs.

Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness explained. “While France should be focusing on recovery and growth, Ryanair has no choice but to reduce its capacity for winter 2025. This is due to the French government’s failure to act against this harmful aviation tax. It is unacceptable that a major European country like France is lagging so far behind the rest of the EU. Its traffic is still below pre-Covid levels, due to excessive taxes and security charges.”

” It makes many French regional routes unprofitable, particularly in winter. As a result, Ryanair’s completely avoidable loss will have a severe impact on regional connectivity, tourism, and local employment.”

Bordeaux shows the Ryanair effect

Ryanair has always supported and invested in French regional airports, promoting low fares and economic development. Unless the government changes course, Ryanair’s capacity and investments in France will inevitably be redirected. And then go to more competitive European markets.

In a precedent move, Ryanair closed in November 2024 its base in Bordeaux. The carrier had based 3 aircraft and flew to 40 destinations. With a lasting effect on the airport traffic. In 2024, as Ryanair closed in November, Bordeaux total traffic stagnated at 6.6 million passengers. However, airport’s traffic is plunging this year. In the first half 2025, Bordeaux recorded 2.7 million passengers, down 14.4% over the same period of 2024.

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