Ryanair Warns of Cuts to French Services

Ryanair has warned that it may reduce services to French regional airports due to recent tax increases. Consequently, many airports are concerned about the future of their flight services.

Decline in Air Traffic to French Airports – Union des Aéroports Français (UAF) reports that only 30% of French airports have returned to pre-COVID passenger levels. This recovery rate is notably lower than in other European countries.

Ryanair has sent letters to regional airports, warning that the rise in taxes makes it more difficult to remain in France. Furthermore, the airline usually acts on its threats, making airport officials wary.

It will impact on key airports. Airports such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Lille have seen significant declines in traffic. In particular, Ryanair’s closure of its Bordeaux base impacted 25% of the airport’s passengers.

French Airports Under Pressure

UAF President Thomas Juin stated that 2024 was a difficult year for many airports. In fact, differences between regions are widening, with some experiencing fewer flights than before.

Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, expects to reduce French flights by 5% in the coming year. This follows recent service reductions, signaling ongoing challenges for the airline in France.

What’s Next for Ryanair in France?

Ryanair will not fully withdraw from France but will reduce capacity on many routes. However, it is not yet clear which specific routes will be affected.

Ryanair has already canceled several European and North African routes. For example, it halted flights to Aalborg after Denmark introduced new aviation taxes and stopped flights from Bournemouth to Budapest.