Ryanair is making significant changes to its flight network, axing routes across Europe while deepening its commitment to Morocco. This strategic shift comes as the budget airline prepares to open a new base in Rabat later this month, capitalizing on Morocco's infrastructure investments ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Morocco's Airport Expansion and Ryanair's Role
Morocco is investing heavily in its aviation infrastructure, with a £2.1 billion ($2.8 billion) national strategy to boost tourism and prepare for the World Cup. A key part of this plan is the expansion of Rabat-Salé Airport, the country's administrative capital's gateway. The new terminal, spanning 69,000 square metres, is set to quadruple annual passenger capacity from 1.5 million to 5 million.
This state-of-the-art facility will feature modern amenities, including a two-level car park with 1,300 spaces, six telescopic boarding bridges for efficient passenger flow, and additional aircraft parking. Ryanair will station two planes at its new Rabat base, enhancing its existing services from the UK and Ireland. Currently, the airline operates four weekly flights from Dublin and Manchester, and ten weekly flights from London Stansted, with return fares from Stansted as low as £35.
Ryanair's Growing Presence in Morocco
Ryanair has steadily increased its footprint in Morocco, now serving 13 airports across the country. This includes a controversial route to Dakhla, located in the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The airline's expansion aligns with Morocco's push to attract more visitors and improve connectivity in the lead-up to major international events.
European Route Cuts and the Reasons Behind Them
In contrast to its Moroccan growth, Ryanair is reducing its operations in Europe, cutting dozens of routes in countries like Spain, France, Germany, and Portugal. Airline executives attribute these cuts to high costs, including air traffic control fees, security charges, aviation taxes, and rising airport expenses.
Ryanair has particularly criticized the German government for what it calls stifling competitiveness. A spokesperson highlighted that Germany's aviation taxes and access costs are among the highest in Europe, contrasting with countries like Ireland, Spain, and Poland, which have no such taxes, or Sweden, Hungary, and parts of Italy, where taxes are being reduced to boost traffic and tourism.
The airline claims that Germany's air traffic market is operating at only 88% of pre-pandemic levels, one of the worst recoveries in Europe. Ryanair also accuses the German government of backtracking on promises to lower aviation taxes, unlike other major EU nations. These taxes are partly intended to mitigate the environmental impact of flying and encourage greener travel options, such as trains.
Impact on Specific European Destinations
The route reductions are most severe in Spain, where Ryanair has cut approximately 1.2 million seats from its summer 2026 schedule. Specific changes include:
- Eliminating all flights to Asturias and Vigo.
- Closing its base at Santiago de Compostela.
- Reducing capacity for Santander and Zaragoza.
- Slashing connections to the Canary Islands.
- Decreasing routes from Girona.
Ryanair plans to reallocate capacity from high-tax states like Germany to more affordable markets, with Morocco being a prime beneficiary. When contacted for comment on the European cuts, a Ryanair spokesperson directed attention to the Rabat expansion without providing further details.
This move underscores Ryanair's adaptive strategy in a challenging aviation landscape, balancing cost pressures in Europe with growth opportunities in emerging markets like Morocco.
