In summary
• Ryanair greatly reduces its flights to France, impacted by the rise in air tax.
• Italy and Ireland benefit from a significant increase in low-cost capacity.
• French regional airports undergo a heavy loss of connectivity and attractiveness.
The winter of 2025 promises to be hot for certain European destinations, but not for France. If you thought it Ryanair was going to continue to offer you its famous low-cost getaway, think again: the Irish company has decided to review its priorities and greatly reduce its offer in France. While Italy, Ireland and other European destinations take advantage of the increase in its winter program, France remains on the sidelines. A real blow for French travelers, but a real strategic bet for Ryanair.
France: less seats, an in addition tax
This is an announcement that rocked the air sector: Ryanair has decided to reduce its winter program to 2025-2026 in Francea decision marked by a shattering increase of 180 % of the Air ticket solidarity tax (Tsba). Concretely, this results in the abolition of 750,000 seats and the closure of 25 lines. Certain regional airports, such as those of Bergerac, Brive and Strasbourg, find themselves particularly affected. In short, France loses its place of choice in the Ryanair winter calendar, to the dismay of French travelers, accustomed to its affordable prices.
But then, why such a decision? The answer is in the French government’s tax policy. While other European countries, such as Ireland and Italy, welcome Ryanair with open arms with softer taxation, France is focusing on a heavy tax to finance ecological projects. A choice that turns against her, since Ryanair prefers to deploy her wings elsewhere, where the grass is greener … or rather, where the tax is lower.
Italy and Ireland: the new battlefields
If France looks gray, Italy and Ireland shine. While French travelers find themselves empty -handed, Ryanair is betting on Italy to boost its winter program. An increase of 10 % of its capacity, or approximately 1.5 million additional seats, will allow the Company to strengthen its presence in this country, indicate the latest OAG data. New planes, new lines: a real boost for Italian travelers! Italy therefore becomes a privileged playground for Ryanair, always attracting more passengers thanks to attractive prices and an increasingly extensive offer.
For its part, Ireland, a country of origin of Ryanair, is also rewarded with good attention. The company plans to increase its capacity by 15 %, or nearly 600,000 additional seats. You will understand, the Ryanair strategy is clear: keep a stranglehold in European markets where tax conditions are more favorable. Irish and Italian passengers can therefore rejoice, while the French will have to face bond discounts. But, for the moment, none of this seems to demoralize travelers in these countries.
What about French regional airports? A situation that deteriorates
If the reduction in Ryanair’s offer in France has consequences for major airports, these are above all the regional airports who drink. These little nuggets often un served by other airlines are weakened by reducing the capacities of the Irish low-cost. Cities like Bergerac, Brive or Strasbourgwho had found an essential partner in Ryanair for their tourist and economic attractiveness, are deprived of part of their beating heart. Fewer seats, fewer roads, less traffic.
The blow is hard for these regions, which may see their connectivity collapse. For French travelers, this means a lower offer, potentially higher prices, and less practical journeys. The economic impact could also be there: fewer travelers, it is also less economic benefits for these territories. A real headache for local officials who will have to find other solutions to maintain the attractiveness of their airports.
Ryanair: a wider European strategy, fewer places in France
But beyond France, Ryanair continues to develop at high speed on other fronts. The company has already announced many capacity increases in European hubs such as Brussels-Charleroi, London-Stansted or Alicante. Cities like Krakow and Malta will also be at the heart of the new strategy. With 93 bases across Europe, Ryanair is a real mastodon of low-cost air transport, capable of adapting and concentrating where demand is strong. If France is a bit left out, other countries benefit from this influx of new seats, far from French tax concerns.
The reason? Extremely optimized costs management, combined with unparalleled flexibility. Ryanair can close certain roads or open new destinations depending on market fluctuations, while remaining competitive on the price plan. This flexibility is undoubtedly what allows the company to be always as popular in the countries which offer it attractive tax conditions.
Does France remain a priority market for Ryanair?
The reduction of Ryanair’s operations in France should not only be seen as a setback for French travelers, but also as a sign of time. Taxation, air taxes and European competition redefine how low-cost companies plan their networks. For Ryanair, the future seems to be taking shape away from France, for the benefit of countries where taxes are less restrictive. If France wants to regain its place of choice in the Ryanair winter program, it will probably have to review its tax policy and further support its regional airports.
In the meantime, the French will have to look elsewhere for their plane tickets at low prices … or resign themselves to seeing other European countries enjoy the influx of seats that Ryanair offers them for this winter 2025-2026.
