Ryanair scraps flights to various French locations, such as Strasbourg - Flights to Strasbourg and other locations in France are wiped out by Ryanair
Ryanair Reduces Winter Schedule in France Due to Increased Air Ticket Tax
Ireland-based airline Ryanair has announced a significant reduction in its winter schedule in France, citing high costs, including a sharp increase in the French air ticket tax, as the main reason.
The tax, which rose from €2.63 to €7.40 per ticket in March 2025, has made many routes, especially to regional airports and during the winter season, economically unviable for the budget airline. As a result, Ryanair will be cutting 13% of its capacity, removing 750,000 seats, and canceling 25 routes. The airline will also cease operations specifically at Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg airports.
Ryanair views this tax hike as "harmful," reducing the competitiveness of French regional airports and hurting regional connectivity, tourism, and local employment. The airline has warned that unless this tax policy changes, regional airports like Bergerair could face severe consequences, including potential airport closures.
The increased tax has contributed directly to Ryanair’s decision to reduce flights and withdraw from these locations in winter 2025/2026. The airline has attributed its withdrawal from three French airports (Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Brive) to the increased French air ticket tax this year.
In contrast, no air traffic tax is levied in Ireland, Spain, or Poland, and it has been abolished in Sweden, Hungary, and some regions of Italy, according to Ryanair. The airline has stated that France is less competitive compared to other EU countries due to the massive tax.
The reduction in Ryanair's activities in France will result in 750,000 fewer seats. The airports of Bergerac and Brive, in addition to Strasbourg, will no longer be served by Ryanair. The airline has suspended operations at these three French airports.
It is worth noting that the air traffic ticket tax in Germany is not expected to decrease anytime soon, according to information from government circles obtained by the German Press Agency. Ryanair has also scaled back its operations in Germany this year, citing high costs, including rising taxes.
In summary, the increased air ticket tax contributes directly to Ryanair’s decision by raising costs and undermining the profitability of routes to certain French regional airports, prompting the airline to reduce flights and withdraw from these locations in winter 2025/2026.
The increased French air ticket tax has caused Ryanair to reconsider its employment policy, leading to the suspension of operations at three French airports (Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Brive) and a reduction of its community policy, resulting in 750,000 fewer seats. Moreover, Ryanair links the lifestyle changes due to reduced connectivity and tourism, as well as potential job losses, to this tax policy.
