Ryanair is withdrawing from 13 airports across Europe as it seeks to control costs and maintain low fares, while planning a $200 million investment in a new base in Italy ahead of summer 2027.
The low-cost carrier has already ended services at several airports in 2026, with further cuts planned for next year. The withdrawals span Spain, Jordan, France, Portugal, Turkey, Greece and Serbia, while Bremen in Germany is scheduled to lose Ryanair services in March 2027.
Vigo in Spain was the first airport to lose Ryanair flights in January. In March, the airline withdrew from Amman in Jordan, Asturias in Spain, Clermont-Ferrand in France, and Ponta Delgada and Terceira in Portugal. Rodez in France followed in August.
In October, Ryanair ended services at Bodrum and Dalaman in Turkey, Kalamata and Volos in Greece, and Nis in Serbia. Bremen will be the next airport affected, with flights due to end in March 2027.
Cost pressures drive route reductions
Ryanair’s decisions reflect its focus on keeping operating costs low and fares competitive. Routes that fail to generate sufficient returns may be reduced or discontinued, particularly when airport operators increase fees.
Withdrawing services can also put pressure on airports and local authorities to lower charges, as airlines negotiate the costs of operating at individual locations.
The latest cuts come amid wider pressure on the aviation sector, with airlines reducing capacity as fuel and other operating expenses weigh on their finances.
New Italian base planned for 2027
While reducing its network elsewhere, Ryanair plans to invest $200 million in a new operating base at Rimini Airport in Italy ahead of the summer 2027 season.
The investment will see two aircraft based at the airport and is expected to provide more than 600,000 seats across 17 routes, including five new connections to Dublin, Memmingen, Stockholm, Tirana and Warsaw. Ryanair plans to operate 114 weekly flights from Rimini.
The expansion follows the decision by local authorities to abolish the municipal tax, a move that helped secure the investment.
The announcement comes shortly after Ryanair outlined substantial reductions to its German operations, citing what it described as “astronomical” costs. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is expected to be particularly affected, with the airline planning to cut its services there by around 50%.
Airlines across Europe trim capacity
Ryanair is not the only carrier scaling back flights. Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France and Turkish Airlines have each cut at least one million seats from their winter schedules compared with the same period in 2025-2026, reflecting mounting pressure from higher jet fuel costs.
The reductions highlight a broader shift among European airlines as they reassess routes and capacity in response to rising expenses, airport charges and changing commercial conditions.
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