Ryanair has unveiled its Summer 2025 schedule, introducing seven new routes from its London Stansted base. The low-cost carrier will begin flights to Bodrum, Clermont-Ferrand, Dalaman, Münster, Lübeck, Linz, and Reggio Calabria, expanding its total Stansted network to 206 routes. Additionally, the airline will increase flight frequencies on popular routes to Gdansk, Ibiza, Malaga, Milan, Rome, Turin, and Valencia.
To support this expansion, Ryanair will add one new Boeing 737 to its Stansted fleet, bringing its total London-based aircraft to 56. This move represents a $100 million investment and is expected to create 30 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers.
Despite its growth, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary used the announcement to criticize the UK government’s decision to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD). From 2026, APD on short-haul flights will rise by £2 per passenger, a move O’Leary claims will hinder UK air travel growth, particularly at regional airports.
“Ryanair could be growing more rapidly to and from the UK, but Rachel Reeves’ bizarre decision to raise APD taxes damages the growth prospects of the UK, especially for regional airports,” he said.
O’Leary also dismissed the government’s focus on Heathrow expansion, calling it a long-term distraction from more immediate aviation challenges.
“If Rachel Reeves is serious about growth, she should stop wasting time talking about a third runway at Heathrow, which won’t be ready until 2030 or 2040, and instead do something useful—abolish APD now. This would drive immediate investment, boost tourism, and stimulate economic activity across the UK regions.”
Ryanair’s Push for Aviation Tax Cuts
O’Leary’s comments reflect Ryanair’s ongoing opposition to aviation taxes, especially as other European nations move to lower or eliminate such levies. Countries like Sweden, Hungary, and Ireland have already cut or scrapped aviation taxes to boost tourism and air connectivity.
By contrast, the UK’s increasing APD could push travelers towards cheaper European destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Italy, where governments are actively encouraging aviation growth through lower airport fees and tax incentives.
