300.000 SITZPLÄTZE TROTZ WEITEREN KÜRZUNGEN AN KOSTENINTENSIVEN FLUGHÄFEN WIEDER EINGEFÜHRT

Ryanair, Europas Fluggesellschaft Nr. 1, gab heute (Mittwoch, 11. März) ihren Sommerflugplan 2026 für Deutschland bekannt. Dieser umfasst die Aufnahme von zwei neuen Flughäfen – Saarbrücken und Friedrichshafen – sowie die Wiedereinführung von 300.000 Sitzplätzen und 14 neuen Strecken. Dies folgt auf die Entscheidung der deutschen Bundesregierung, die schädliche Luftverkehrsteuer ab Juli 2026 zu senken und die Flugsicherungsgebühren einzufrieren. Gewinner dieses Kapazitätswachstums sind proaktive deutsche Flughäfen, die gemeinsam mit Ryanair daran gearbeitet haben, Kosten zu senken, darunter Köln/Bonn, Weeze, Memmingen und Bremen.

Dieser sinnvolle politische Kurswechsel ermöglicht es Ryanair, zuvor geplante Kapazitätskürzungen für den Sommer 2026 rückgängig zu machen. Dennoch wird Ryanairs Gesamtkapazität in Deutschland unter dem Niveau des Sommers 2025 bleiben (-220.000 Sitzplätze), da die Fluggesellschaft weiterhin Sitzplätze an den teuersten Flughäfen Deutschlands streicht, darunter Berlin und Hamburg, die es ablehnen, ihre überhöhten und wettbewerbsunfähigen Flughafenentgelte zu senken. Berlin, das weiterhin der teuerste Flughafen im deutschen Ryanair-Netzwerk ist, wird einen Rückgang von 150.000 Sitzplätzen (-5 %) verzeichnen, und Hamburg wird 70.000 Sitzplätze (-20 %) verlieren. Diese Kürzungen verdeutlichen, wie überhöhte Flughafenkosten direkt zu weniger Verkehr, Tourismus und Arbeitsplätzen in ganz Deutschland führen.

Während die Entscheidung der deutschen Bundesregierung, die Luftverkehrsteuer zu senken und die Flugsicherungsgebühren einzufrieren, einen begrüßenswerten ersten Schritt darstellt, bleibt Deutschland deutlich weniger wettbewerbsfähig als Länder wie Schweden, Albanien, Ungarn, die Slowakei und Teile Italiens, in denen Luftverkehrssteuern vollständig abgeschafft wurden. Ryanair fordert die deutsche Bundesregierung und Verkehrsminister Patrick Schnieder erneut auf, die Luftverkehrsteuer vollständig abzuschaffen, überhöhte Flugsicherungs- und Sicherheitsgebühren zu halbieren und landesweit wettbewerbsfähige Flughafenkosten sicherzustellen. Sollten diese wachstumsfördernden Reformen umgesetzt werden, ist Ryanair bereit, ihren ehrgeizigen Wachstumsplan umzusetzen, und ihr Passagieraufkommen in Deutschland auf 34 Millionen Passagiere pro Jahr zu verdoppeln, 30 zusätzliche Flugzeuge in Deutschland zu stationieren (Investition in Höhe von 3 Mrd. US-Dollar) und über 200 neue Strecken aufzunehmen. Dieser Wachstumsplan würde 1.000 zusätzliche hochbezahlte Arbeitsplätze in der Luftfahrt in ganz Deutschland schaffen.

Ryanair Head of Communications DACH, Marcel Pouchain Meyer, sagte:

„Wir begrüßen die Entscheidung der deutschen Regierung, die Luftverkehrssteuer ab Juli 2026 zu senken und zusätzlich die Flugsicherungsgebühren einzufrieren. Dies hat es Ryanair ermöglicht, 300.000 Sitzplätze wieder einzuführen und 14 neue Strecken für den Sommer 2026 zu eröffnen, was unmittelbare Vorteile für die regionale Anbindung, den Tourismus und Arbeitsplätze bringt. Trotz dieses positiven ersten Schritts liegt die Gesamtkapazität von Ryanair in Deutschland im Sommer 2026 um 220.000 Sitzplätze unter dem Niveau von 2025, da Flughäfen mit hohen Kosten wie Berlin und Hamburg weiterhin nicht bereit sind, ihre völlig wettbewerbsunfähigen Gebühren zu senken.

Ryanair fordert die deutsche Bundesregierung und Bundesverkehrsminister Patrick Schnieder erneut auf, die Luftverkehrsteuer vollständig abzuschaffen, überhöhte Flugsicherungs- und Sicherheitsgebühren um 50 % zu senken und wettbewerbsfähige Flughafenkosten in ganz Deutschland zu schaffen. Sollten diese wachstumsfördernden Reformen umgesetzt werden, ist Ryanair bereit, ihren Verkehr in Deutschland auf 34 Millionen Passagiere pro Jahr zu verdoppeln, 30 zusätzliche Flugzeuge in Deutschland zu stationieren (Investition von 3 Mrd. US-Dollar), über 200 neue Strecken aufzunehmen und mehr als 1.000 hochbezahlte Arbeitsplätze in der Luftfahrt zu schaffen.

Solange Deutschland seine wachstumshemmende Luftverkehrsteuer nicht vollständig abschafft und die überhöhten Flughafen-, Sicherheits- und Flugsicherungsgebühren nicht angeht, wird Deutschland weiterhin Verkehr, Tourismus und Arbeitsplätze an wettbewerbsfähigere europäische Märkte verlieren.“

Neue Routen Sommer 2026

Friedrichshafen – Alicante

Frankfurt Hahn – Rabat

Friedrichshafen – Palma de Mallorca

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Amman

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Bukarest (Băneasa)

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Rabat

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Tirana

Memmingen – Tirana

Memmingen – Bukarest (Băneasa)

Nürnberg – Rabat

Saarbrücken – Alicante

Saarbrücken – Lamezia Terme

Saarbrücken – Trapani

Köln – Rimini

300,000 SEATS REINSTATED DESPITE ONGOING CUTS AT HIGH-COST AIRPORTS

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Wed, 11 Mar) announced its Summer 2026 schedule for Germany, including the launch of 2 new airports Saarbrücken and Friedrichshafen as well as the reinstatement of 300,000 seats and 14 new routes, following the German Govt’s decision to reduce the damaging aviation tax from July 2026 and freeze ATC charges. The beneficiaries of this capacity growth are the proactive German airports who have worked with Ryanair to reduce costs such as Cologne, Niederrhein, Memmingen and Bremen airports.

This sensible policy shift allows Ryanair to reverse previously planned Summer 2026 capacity cuts. However, Ryanair’s total capacity in Germany will remain below Summer 2025 levels (-220,000 seats), as the airline continues cutting seats at Germany’s highest‑cost airports, including Berlin and Hamburg, who refuse to reduce their excessive and uncompetitive airport charges. Berlin, which remains the highest-cost airport in Ryanair’s German network, will see a reduction of 150,000 seats (-5%) and Hamburg will lose 70,000 seats (-20%). These cuts underline how excessive airport costs directly translate into lost traffic, tourism and jobs across Germany.

While the German Govt’s decision to cut the aviation tax and freeze ATC charges represents a welcome first step, Germany remains significantly less competitive than countries such as Sweden, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia and regional Italy, where aviation taxes have been abolished entirely. Ryanair again calls on the German Govt and Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to fully abolish the aviation tax, halve excessive ATC and security charges and ensure competitive airport costs nationwide. If these pro-growth reforms are delivered, Ryanair stands ready to double its German traffic to 34m passengers annually, base an additional 30 aircraft in Germany (US$3bn investment), launch over 200 new routes and create over 1,000 highly paid aviation jobs.

Ryanair Head of Comms DACH, Marcel Pouchain Meyer said:

“We welcome the German Govt’s decision to cut the aviation tax and freeze ATC charges, which has enabled Ryanair to reinstate 300,000 seats and launch 14 new routes for Summer 26, delivering immediate benefits for regional connectivity, tourism and jobs. However, despite this positive first step, Ryanair’s overall capacity in Germany for Summer 2026 remains 220,000 seats lower than Summer 2025, as high-cost airports like Berlin and Hamburg continue to fail to address their highly uncompetitive charges.

Ryanair again calls on the German Govt. and Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to scrap the aviation tax in full, cut excessive ATC and security charges by 50% and deliver competitive airport costs across Germany. If these pro‑growth reforms are implemented, Ryanair stands ready to double its German traffic to 34 million passengers annually, base 30 additional aircraft in Germany (US$3bn investment), launch over 200 new routes and create more than 1,000 high‑paid aviation jobs.

Until Germany fully abolishes its anti-growth aviation tax and tackles excessive airport, security and ATC charges, Germany will continue to lose traffic, tourism and jobs to more competitive European markets.”

Summer 2026 New Routes

Friedrichshafen – Alicante

Frankfurt Hahn – Rabat

Friedrichshafen – Palma de Mallorca

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Amman

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Bucharest (Băneasa)

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Rabat

Karlsruhe/Baden Baden – Tirana

Memmingen – Tirana

Memmingen – Bucharest (Băneasa)

Nürnberg – Rabat

Saarbrücken – Alicante

Saarbrücken – Lamezia Terme

Saarbrücken – Trapani

Cologne – Rimini

CALLS ON ESTONIAN GOVT TO REDUCE ACCESS COSTS TO GROW TRAFFIC & TOURISM

Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, today (Wed, 11 March) announced its Summer ‘26 Tallinn schedule, operating 6 routes with no year‑on‑year growth, following Tallinn Airport’s decision to maintain excessive access costs that continue to damage Estonia’s connectivity, tourism, and competitiveness.

While other European markets – including Italy, Slovakia and Sweden – are reducing or abolishing aviation taxes to stimulate traffic and jobs (which has delivered significant Ryanair growth in those countries), Estonia continues to move in the opposite direction, with Tallinn Airport charges up by +70% in 2025, making Estonia one of the least competitive markets in the region and driving traffic growth to more cost‑competitive markets. As a direct consequence of these excessive costs, Tallinn is now missing out on proven, immediate traffic growth, leaving Estonian consumers with fewer destinations and higher prices.

Despite multiple attempts to engage constructively, no action has been taken to reduce access charges. This continued inaction is diverting capacity to more competitive EU markets that actively support traffic recovery. Until Tallinn reverses its uncompetitive access cost, Ryanair cannot restore growth in Estonia. Ryanair again calls on the Estonian Government to urgently reverse these cost increases and implement a pro‑growth aviation strategy that will deliver lower fares, jobs and traffic growth to Estonia

Ryanair’s Head of Comms for CEE & Baltics, Alicja Wójcik-Gołębiowska, said:

“Ryanair is announcing a flat Summer ‘26 schedule for Tallinn—just 6 routes and no growth—because Estonia continues to ignore the basic economics of low‑cost aviation. Airport charges rose by +70% in 2025, which is driving traffic, jobs, and tourism away from Estonia and into more competitive markets.

We have repeatedly shown—across countries like Italy, Slovakia, Sweden – that when governments reduce access costs, Ryanair instantly responds with more routes, more seats, and more investment. But in Estonia, high charges mean our hands are tied.

Tallinn Airport is now falling behind its European competitors. Estonian passengers are paying the price—with fewer destinations and higher fares—because their government and airport refuse to adopt a pro‑growth aviation policy. Ryanair stands ready to deliver new routes, and lower fares for Estonia, but this requires immediate action from the Government to reduce access costs and restore competitiveness.”

Unless these excessive charges are reversed, Estonia will continue losing connectivity while neighbouring countries capitalise on Ryanair’s growth. The solution is simple: lower airport costs, and we will grow in Tallinn—delivering traffic, tourism, and jobs. Failure to act will leave Estonian families and businesses stuck with shrinking choice and rising fares.”

6 POPULAR SUMMER ROUTES AXED – INCL. BARCELONA, GDAŃSK & VIENNA

AS HIGH LATVIAN TAXES & ATC CHARGE INCREASES FORCE GROWTH TO FASTER-GROWING CEE MARKETS

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Wed, 11 Mar) announced a 20% capacity cut to its Riga Summer ’26 schedule, including the closure of 6 popular routes – including Barcelona, Gdańsk and Vienna – as high and uncompetitive Latvian aviation taxes and increasing ATC charges continue to undermine growth, connectivity and tourism.

Ryanair continues to work constructively with Riga Airport, which has engaged positively with the airline on efficiency and charges. However, the Latvian Government’s failure to reduce aviation taxes and overall access costs, including the Security Monitoring Charge collected on behalf of the CAA, and the surprising increase of ATC cost from January’26, means Latvia is losing out to faster-growing, lower-cost markets in Central and Eastern Europe such as Slovakia, Hungary, Albania and Poland, where Governments actively support growth, tourism and jobs.

As a result of Latvia’s uncompetitive tax regime and growing ATC costs, Ryanair will cut its Riga Summer ’26 capacity by 20%, reallocating routes to markets where Governments are reducing costs and backing aviation growth. This will see 6 Riga routes – including Barcelona, Gdańsk and Vienna – removed from the schedule for Summer ’26, reducing choice and connectivity for Latvian consumers and visitors.

Unless the Latvian Government acts urgently to reduce aviation taxes and improve Latvia’s competitiveness, Riga will continue to lose routes and capacity to neighbouring CEE markets that are winning investment, connectivity and jobs.

Ryanair’s Head of Comms for CEE & Baltics, Alicja Wójcik-Gołębiowska, said:

 “Ryanair regrets being forced to cut our Riga Summer ’26 capacity by 20% and close 6 popular routes, including Barcelona, Gdańsk and Vienna. Riga Airport has engaged constructively with us, but the Latvian Government’s insistence on maintaining uncompetitive aviation taxes and now increasing ATC charges leaves Latvia falling behind other CEE markets that are actively reducing costs and supporting growth.

 While Slovakia, Hungary, Albania and Poland are attracting new routes and more capacity thanks to lower access costs and pro‑tourism policies, Latvia is going in the opposite direction. High taxes, higher ATC charges and the CAA Security Monitoring Charge mean fewer routes, less choice and higher fares for Latvian consumers, and they are driving airlines like Ryanair to move aircraft to countries that want growth, tourism and jobs.

 Ryanair wants to grow in Riga – to add routes, base more aircraft and bring even more visitors to Latvia – but this requires the Latvian Government to act. Unless aviation taxes and access costs (including ATC and CAA charges) are reduced, Riga will continue to lose out to other CEE markets that understand that lower costs mean more traffic, more tourists and more high‑paying jobs.”

VILNIUS LOSES 1 SUMMER ROUTE AS LITHUANIA FALLS BEHIND FASTER‑GROWING CEE MARKETS

Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Wed, 11 Mar) confirmed it will deliver zero growth in Lithuania for Summer ’26, with no new routes and flat capacity at Vilnius and across Lithuania, as rising airport access costs continue to block recovery, limit connectivity and prevent the country from unlocking its full potential for tourism, jobs, and economic growth.

Despite overall capacity remaining flat, Vilnius will lose 1 route in Summer ’26 as Ryanair is forced to reallocate this capacity to lower-cost, high-growth markets elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe.

While competing CEE markets such as Slovakia and Poland are growing strongly – attracting more routes and increased capacity as they reduce access costs and support aviation – Lithuania is moving in the opposite direction. Lithuanian Airports’ decision to hike charges – including a +30% increase at Vilnius since 2023 – has left the country uncompetitive, with airlines reallocating capacity to lower‑cost, growth‑focused markets across the region.

This lack of competitiveness is particularly damaging in Vilnius, where the opening of the new terminal – doubling capacity from 4m to 8m passengers – should be driving a step‑change in growth, connectivity and inbound tourism. Instead, Vilnius is stagnating, losing 1 Ryanair summer route and gaining no new ones for Summer ’26, while airports in Slovakia, Poland and other CEE markets are benefiting from Ryanair growth, new routes and additional based aircraft.

Unless the Lithuanian Government acts urgently to reduce access costs – especially at Vilnius – Lithuania will continue to miss out on traffic growth, tourism, and jobs as capacity is redirected to states that actively support aviation and tourism.

Ryanair’s Head of Comms for CEE & Baltics, Alicja Wójcik-Gołębiowska said:

“It is regrettable but entirely avoidable that Ryanair will deliver zero growth in Lithuania for Summer ’26, with flat overall capacity and no new routes – and even more concerning that Vilnius will lose 1 summer route as a direct result of rising access costs. Lithuanian airports’ decision to increase charges – including a 30% hike at Vilnius – has made Lithuania uncompetitive versus other CEE markets.

While countries like Slovakia and Poland are winning new routes and capacity by keeping airport costs low and supporting aviation, Lithuania is choosing higher charges, no growth and route losses. Instead of using Vilnius’ expanded terminal capacity as a catalyst to boost connectivity, tourism and jobs, rising access costs are holding the airport – and the wider economy – back.

 Ryanair wants to grow in Lithuania, base more aircraft, add new routes and deliver lower fares for Lithuanian consumers, but this can only happen if the Government and Lithuanian Airports reverse course and cut access costs. Unless urgent action is taken to restore competitiveness, Vilnius will continue to stagnate and lose routes while other CEE markets thrive, and Lithuanian passengers, tourism and jobs will lose out as capacity is reallocated to lower‑cost, higher‑growth countries.”

58 ROTTE (2 NUOVE), 9 AEREI ($900M INV) E CRESCITA DEL TRAFFICO A 4,5 MILIONI DI PASSEGGERI ALL’ANNO

Ryanair, la compagnia aerea No. 1 in Italia, ha lanciato oggi (10 marzo) il suo operativo per l’estate 2026 a Pisa con 58 rotte, tra cui 2 nuove ed entusiasmanti rotte estive per Bratislava e Rabat, insieme all’aumento delle frequenze settimanali su popolari rotte esistenti tra cui Bruxelles, Copenaghen, Edimburgo, Malta, Manchester, Marrakech, Palma di Maiorca, Skiathos (Grecia), Tirana e Trapani-Marsala.

L’operativo per l’estate 2026 di Ryanair sarà operato principalmente dai 9 aerei Ryanair basati a Pisa, che rappresentano un investimento di $900 milioni e sosterrà oltre 3.600 posti di lavoro nella regione, stimolando al contempo il turismo in entrata in città e in tutta la regione durante tutto l’anno.

L’operativo Ryanair per l’estate 2026 a Pisa prevede:

· 58 rotte in totale

· 2 nuove rotte da/per Bratislava e Rabat

· Aumento delle frequenze settimanali su rotte esistenti tra cui Bruxelles, Copenhagen, Edimburgo, Malta, Manchester, Marrakech, Palma de Maiorca, Skiathos (Greece), Tirana e Trapani-Marsala.

· 9 aerei – $900 milioni invest.

· 4.5M passeggeri all’anno

· Supp. ad oltre 3.600 posti di lavoro, inclusi 270 posti di lavoro nell’aviazione altamente retribuiti

Ryanair opera da/per Pisa da 28 anni, dove ha trasportato fino ad oggi quasi 59 milioni di passeggeri e punta a continuare a investire e incrementare il traffico in Toscana e in Italia. Per far crescere ulteriormente il traffico e il turismo italiano, Ryanair fa appello Governo e alle regioni affinché venga abolita l’addizionale municipale in tutti gli aeroporti italiani come hanno già fatto Abruzzo, Calabria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia e, per gli aeroporti più piccoli, Sicilia ed Emilia-Romagna. Questo consentirà a Ryanair e ad altre compagnie aeree di sviluppare rapidamente nuove rotte e generare turismo e crescita occupazionale durante tutto l’anno.

Fabrizio Francioni, Head of Communications Italy Ryanair, ha detto:

“In qualità di compagnia aerea numero 1 in Italia, Ryanair è lieta di annunciare il suo operativo per l’estate 2026 a Pisa con 58 rotte, tra cui 2 nuove rotte da/per Bratislava e Rabat, e oltre 630 voli settimanali, che dimostrano l’impegno di Ryanair nello sviluppo di Pisa e della regione Toscana. Per far crescere ulteriormente il traffico e il turismo in Italia, Ryanair invita il Governo e le regioni ad abolire l’addizionale municipale in tutti gli aeroporti italiani, come hanno già fatto Abruzzo, Calabria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia e, per gli aeroporti più piccoli, Sicilia ed Emilia Romagna. La riduzione dei costi di accesso e l’eliminazione dell’addizionale municipale si sono rivelate azioni molto efficaci nel favorire una connettività trasformativa, crescita del turismo e dell’occupazionale in queste regioni. Se il governo italiano abolisse l’addizionale municipale in tutti gli aeroporti italiani, Ryanair risponderebbe con un investimento di $4 miliardi in Italia, aggiungendo 40 nuovi aerei, 20 milioni di passeggeri in più all’anno, 15.000 nuovi posti di lavoro e oltre 250 nuove rotte”.

Toscana Aeroporti ha detto:

“La presentazione della stagione estiva di Ryanair per il 2026 conferma il ruolo strategico dell’aeroporto Galileo Galilei come porta di accesso internazionale alla Toscana. Il network di 58 rotte e l’introduzione dei nuovi collegamenti per Bratislava e Rabat rafforzano ulteriormente la connettività dello scalo, sostenendo la crescita dei flussi turistici e, più in generale, la mobilità dei passeggeri. La collaborazione con Ryanair, partner storico di Toscana Aeroporti, continua a rappresentare un elemento chiave per lo sviluppo del traffico aereo e per la competitività del territorio.”

Ryanair oggi (venerdì, 6 marzo) accoglie con favore una serie di vittorie in tribunale a Bologna e Bari che hanno annullato tre sanzioni ENAC emesse nel 2022. In ciascun caso, i tribunali italiani hanno stabilito che le relative cancellazioni dei voli erano causate da circostanze eccezionali – tra cui ritardi del controllo del traffico aereo (ATC), chiusure aeroportuali, bird strike e uno sciopero ENAV – e pertanto non era dovuta alcuna compensazione ai passeggeri ai sensi del Regolamento EU261.

Nonostante questi chiari casi di circostanze eccezionali, ENAC ha erroneamente imposto tre sanzioni separate per un totale di oltre €71.000, costringendo Ryanair a pagare anticipatamente queste sanzioni illegittime (per evitare gli interessi di mora in attesa della sentenza). Tutti e tre i provvedimenti sono ora stati annullati e il tribunale ha ordinato che tali sanzioni debbano essere rimborsate da ENAC a Ryanair.

Queste 3 sentenze riaffermano la posizione da tempo sostenuta da Ryanair secondo cui le compagnie aeree non possono essere penalizzate per cancellazioni causate da circostanze eccezionali, che sono completamente al di fuori del loro controllo.

Il CLO di Ryanair, Juliusz Komorek, ha dichiarato:

“Queste tre sentenze dei tribunali confermano ancora una volta quanto il Regolamento EU261 ha sempre chiarito: le compagnie aeree non sono responsabili del pagamento di compensazioni quando le cancellazioni sono causate da circostanze eccezionali come ritardi ATC, chiusure aeroportuali, bird strike o scioperi da parte di fornitori di servizi terzi. I ripetuti ma illegittimi tentativi di ENAC di imporre sanzioni illegittime in casi in cui non è dovuta alcuna compensazione erano del tutto ingiustificati. Accogliamo con favore queste sentenze dei tribunali italiani che ordinano a ENAC di rimborsare integralmente gli importi di queste sanzioni illegittime insieme alle spese legali a Ryanair. Ryanair continuerà a difendersi pienamente contro le sanzioni illegittime e infondate di ENAC.

In quanto agenzia del Governo italiano, ENAC deve rispettare il diritto dell’UE e cessare di imporre queste sanzioni illegittime a Ryanair e alle compagnie aeree che operano in Italia.”