Ryanair is set to implement significant changes to its European route network by 2026, which includes discontinuing operations at certain airports, leading to the closure of flights to the ‘Hawaii of Europe’.
The popular low-cost airline, founded in 1985, is reportedly planning to shut down bases at several airports and quietly eliminate some routes at others, potentially catching travelers off guard when they attempt to make bookings.
Among the notable withdrawals are the closure of services in the Azores region of Portugal, often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’, and the complete cessation of all flights in the Asturias region of Spain.
The shutdown of operations in the Azores is scheduled to take effect starting March 29, 2026, impacting around 400,000 passengers annually. This move will reduce the availability of non-stop flights, resulting in higher average airfares. Ryanair attributes this decision to increased airport fees and air traffic control charges in the region.
Jason McGuinness, Ryanair’s chief commercial officer, expressed disappointment over the situation, blaming the rise in Portuguese airport fees imposed by the French airport monopoly ANA for hindering tourism and employment opportunities in Portugal, particularly on the Portuguese islands. Consequently, all flights to the Azores will be canceled from March 29, 2026, onwards, with the airline reallocating its capacity to more cost-effective airports within the broader Ryanair Group network across Europe.
In addition to complete service terminations, Ryanair will also maintain route closures at airports in Germany and the Netherlands, resulting in a significant reduction of nearly 800,000 seats in the German market for the Winter 2025/2026 schedule. The airline cites reasons such as air traffic control fees, security charges, and aviation taxes for these adjustments.
These alterations, characterized as ‘capacity changes’ by Ryanair, have been confirmed by various sources, including airport operators, regional governments, and media outlets rather than being formally announced by the airline itself.
The adjustments extend to various Spanish regions like Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Tenerife North, Jerez, and Valladolid, with operations either ending or being significantly curtailed. France will also witness the suspension of flights to Brive and Strasbourg, with a potential resumption at Bergerac in the summer of 2026.
Furthermore, Ryanair plans to discontinue routes from Cork Airport in Ireland and reduce services in Belgium. Passengers traveling to various destinations in Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia should anticipate route cuts affecting airports like Banja Luka, Niš, Zadar, and Rijeka.
Ryanair clarifies that it remains committed to serving popular European destinations but is aligning its operations with government policies and airport charges that are compatible with its low-cost model.
Despite the route adjustments, passengers are likely to have alternative options, as rival airlines such as Vueling, Binter, Iberia, and Wizz Air are poised to fill the void left by Ryanair’s reductions.
