Ryanair Cuts Flights at 19 European Airports Over Rising Costs

Budget airline Ryanair reduced flight frequencies at 19 airports across Europe and the United Kingdom to streamline operations and address seasonal overcapacity. The cuts heavily impact London Stansted and Manchester airports, as well as locations in Ireland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, France, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Spain, and Bulgaria.

The airline attributed the reductions to escalating airport costs and industry volatility driven by fuel supply disruptions from conflict in the Middle East. Additional pressure stems from processing delays caused by the European Union's new entry/exit system.

Specific operational changes include the closure of bases in Thessaloniki and Berlin, with the Berlin closure effective October 24 and halving flights from the German capital for the winter schedule. In Greece, the airline is reducing passenger capacity at Athens Airport by 45%, resulting in 12 cut routes and the loss of 700,000 seats, while suspending operations entirely in Chania and Heraklion.