Ryanair's Major European Route Cuts for 2026
British holidaymakers face significant disruption as Ryanair, one of the UK's most popular budget airlines, confirms sweeping cuts to its flight schedule across Europe. The airline is axing millions of seats to destinations in Spain, Germany, and France, with further reductions planned for 2026. This dramatic scaling back of operations, confirmed by CEO Michael O'Leary, is set to impact thousands of passengers' travel plans.
Spain Bears the Brunt of Initial Cuts
The first wave of significant reductions took place earlier this year when Ryanair decided to close operations entirely at several Spanish airports. The airline has ceased flights to the following destinations: Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Valladolid, Jerez, and Tenerife North.
This decision stems from rising tensions over increased airport charges, which have severely affected relations with Aena, the state-owned Spanish operator. Michael O'Leary has been vocal about the issue, telling the Financial Times in September: 'If the costs in regional Spain are too high, I will fly elsewhere. We are better off flying at the same cost to places such as Palma than flying to Jerez.'
Germany and France Face Further Reductions
In October, Ryanair announced it would ditch 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats for the 2025 winter season. Nine German airports are affected, including major tourist hubs like Berlin and Hamburg.
The airline released a statement accusing the German government of jeopardising 'connectivity, jobs, and tourism' by failing to address high aviation taxes and rising operational costs.
France has already suffered the loss of 25 routes and 750,000 seats this winter after Ryanair ended all services to Brive, Bergerac, and Strasbourg. Now, Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness has confirmed that 'Ryanair will leave French regional airports in the summer of 2026.'
Although no specific French destinations have been named yet, this marks another clear fracture between the airline and the popular European destination. Michael O'Leary explained his reasoning to French newspaper Le Parisien, criticising a 180% increase in the solidarity tax on airline tickets, which has risen from €2.63 to €7.40 per ticket.
Digital Boarding Passes Become Mandatory
In another significant change for passengers, Ryanair has switched to fully digital boarding passes as of November 12, 2025. The airline no longer allows passengers to use printed boarding passes, marking the end of decades of reliance on the old system.
However, Michael O'Leary has assured travellers: 'As long as you've checked in before you got to the airport, we'll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to have checked in before you got to the airport.'
Some customers have expressed concern about this digital shift, with one frustrated passenger suggesting on social media: 'Just Boycott them, go easyJet, Jet2 instead.'
The combination of route cuts and operational changes signals a challenging period ahead for budget airline travellers, with Ryanair's European network facing its most significant restructuring in years.
