Ryanair has vowed to continue switching routes away from “high cost” European markets such as Germany, Austria and Spain.
The Ireland-based budget carrier said it was looking at adding more flights in countries that have moved to cut aviation taxes and incentivise traffic growth, including Sweden, Slovakia, Italy, Albania and Morocco.
Ryanair has already cut 24 routes in Germany this winter following the German government’s decision to maintain the country’s existing air passenger tax, while the airline has also reduced flights at regional airports in Spain due to higher airport charges.
Michael O’Leary, the airline group’s CEO, said that this trend would continue in its summer 2026 schedule when Ryanair plans to add new bases at Tirana in Albania and Trapani in Sicily.
O’Leary made his remarks as Ryanair unveiled a 42 per cent rise in post-tax profit, which climbed to €2.54 billion for the six months to 30 September.
Ryanair was boosted by a 3 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger numbers to 119 million for the half-year, with revenue increasing by 13 per cent to €9.82 billion and average fares also up by 13 per cent to €58.
The airline group said it had benefited from a “strong Easter, weak prior-year comparisons and Q2 fare recovery” during the half-year period.
Ryanair has slightly increased its passenger forecast for the current financial year (up to 31 March 2026) and is now expecting to carry 207 million passengers – up from a previous estimate of 206 million – due to earlier than expected aircraft deliveries from Boeing and strong demand in summer 2025.
The company said it expected total short-haul airline capacity in Europe to “remain constrained to at least 2030” because of delays in the delivery of new aircraft and ongoing engine repair programmes.
O’Leary again hit out at the European Commission and its president Ursula von der Leyen over its failure to reform the continent’s air traffic control (ATC) regime, particularly when flights are impacted by strikes by ATC staff.
“While the Commission stands idly by, the EU Parliament is proposing even more stupid rules (such as further increasing free carry-on luggage limits - even though there is no room in the aircraft cabin for these extra bags), which will only lead to more airport security and flight delays as well as higher costs, and higher fares for Europe’s consumers,” added O’Leary.