Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Germany Joins France, Spain, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands As Ryanair Cuts Twenty Four Routes From Late October 2025 Followed by Wizz Air, Eurowings in Major Cities Like Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and More, Here Is What You Need To Know

Published on
October 16, 2025

Ryanair flight cuts

Germany, alongside France, Spain, Estonia, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands, is witnessing a significant reduction in winter flight routes by leading low-cost airlines like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Eurowings. The changes are a direct response to rising airport fees and aviation taxes across Europe, as well as operational challenges faced by these budget carriers. Ryanair, in particular, has announced the cancellation of 24 routes from Germany alone, affecting major cities like Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. Other carriers like Wizz Air and Eurowings have followed suit, making it even more important for travelers to stay updated on flight status and alternative travel options.

The route reductions are already making an impact on business travelers, tourists, and local economies in cities that rely on air connectivity for tourism and economic activity. For business professionals, the uncertainty caused by the flight reductions could cause scheduling problems, especially for last-minute trips. Likewise, tourists who have booked flights to Germany for the winter holidays or cultural experiences are encouraged to check for possible alternatives to avoid disruptions.

Ryanair’s Major Route Reductions in Germany and Europe

Ryanair, the largest low-cost carrier in Europe, has been at the forefront of these winter route cuts, focusing on Germany in particular. The airline has reduced services to 24 routes from key German airports such as Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. The flight cancellations are attributed to high airport fees and air traffic control charges in Germany, which have made some routes unsustainable for the airline.

In addition to Germany, Ryanair has also cut flights to several Spanish and French cities, citing similar financial constraints. Cities such as Vigo and Santiago in Spain, and Strasbourg and Pau in France, have been affected by these cancellations. Travelers flying from these cities should be aware of the limited availability of direct flights and may need to look for alternative airports or connecting flights through other cities.

Wizz Air and Eurowings Join the Trend: Impact on Major German Cities

Following Ryanair’s announcements, Wizz Air and Eurowings have also made reductions to their winter flight schedules. Wizz Air, which has a strong presence in Germany, particularly in Frankfurt and Dortmund, has cut down on services to smaller regional airports, such as Memmingen and Bergerac. The airline’s decision comes after a spike in operational costs due to airport fee increases in countries like Germany and France.

Eurowings, part of the Lufthansa Group, has similarly announced reductions to its winter 2025 routes, notably at Düsseldorf and Hamburg airports. The airline is focusing on major European routes, scaling back on regional services that previously connected Germany to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. The capacity cuts have led to cancellations of several flights to Tenerife, Rome, and Vienna.

Ryanair has announced significant reductions to its winter 2025 flight schedules across various European countries, citing disputes over high aviation taxes and airport fees. Here’s an overview of the affected countries and the specific impacts:

Germany

  • Affected Airports: Berlin, Hamburg, Memmingen, Dortmund, Dresden, Leipzig, among others.
  • Details: Ryanair is cutting 24 routes and eliminating approximately 800,000 seats due to Germany’s high aviation taxes and access costs.

France

  • Affected Airports: Strasbourg, Bergerac, Brive, Pau, Poitiers, and others.
  • Details: The airline is ceasing operations at several regional airports and reducing capacity by 11% nationwide, attributing the cuts to increased aviation taxes and air traffic control disruptions.

Spain

  • Affected Regions: Regional airports across the mainland and the Canary Islands.
  • Details: Ryanair is reducing capacity by over 1 million seats, closing bases in Valladolid and Jerez, and ending all flights to Tenerife North, Vigo, and Santiago, due to a 6.5% increase in airport fees by AENA.

Estonia

  • Affected Airport: Tallinn.
  • Details: The airline is cutting its winter 2025 schedule by 40%, removing 110,000 seats and five international routes, including Milan Bergamo, Paphos, Rome Ciampino, Venice Treviso, and Vienna, due to a 70% hike in airport charges.

Belgium

  • Affected Airport: Brussels Zaventem.
  • Details: Ryanair is scaling back operations by about 6%, reducing traffic due to Belgium’s increased embarkation tax.

Italy

  • Affected Airport: Rome Ciampino.
  • Details: Ryanair is reducing its fleet by one aircraft and halting growth during the winter period, citing an artificial daily flight limit and proposed airport charge increases.

Netherlands

  • Affected Airport: Maastricht Aachen.
  • Details: Ryanair is ending all flights to and from this airport after failing to reach a new commercial agreement with the airport operator.

Impact on Business Travel and Tourism in Germany

The reduction in flights by Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Eurowings will likely have a wide-reaching impact on business and leisure travel in Germany. For business travelers, the diminished capacity means fewer low-cost options to key business hubs in Europe, particularly in Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich. This could affect trade deals, meetings, and conferences, making alternative arrangements necessary for those who rely on direct connections between cities.

On the tourism front, the cancellations could limit accessibility to Germany’s top tourist destinations such as the Christmas markets in Munich and Nuremberg. Leisure travelers planning winter vacations may find it more difficult to secure affordable flights to Berlin, Düsseldorf, and other cities. This disruption could also affect local tourism industries in these cities, especially for those relying on European visitors during the holiday season.

How to Navigate the Changes: Tips for Travelers

  1. Check Alternative Airports: If your flight to Germany is affected, consider flying into nearby airports like Düsseldorf or Cologne and taking a train or bus to your destination.
  2. Book in Advance: The reduced availability of flights means prices may rise, so travelers should book early to secure the best rates.
  3. Stay Flexible: With many routes canceled, business travelers and tourists should have flexible itineraries and be prepared to adjust travel dates or routes if necessary.
  4. Consider Other Carriers: Other low-cost airlines, such as EasyJet or Vueling, may offer alternative flights to Germany from major European cities.
  5. Use Travel Apps: For real-time flight status updates and to find alternative routes, apps like FlightAware and Google Flights can help you track changes quickly.

Key Points to Remember:

  • Ryanair, Wizz Air, and Eurowings are significantly reducing their winter flight schedules to Germany due to high airport fees and operational costs.
  • Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have been impacted by budget carriers’ route reductions.
  • Business travelers should prepare for potential disruptions and look for alternative flight options or airport choices.
  • Tourists planning trips to Germany should be aware of limited flight options and may need to adjust their travel plans.
  • Alternative transport options, such as train travel, could provide viable solutions for travelers facing flight cancellations.