Ryanair Reduces Seat Capacity in France as High Aviation Taxes Reshape Regional Air Connectivity: What New Updates You Need to Know

French authorities have introduced new, much higher aviation taxes, forcing Ryanair to lower its capacity in France’s aviation market by about 750,000 seats. This represents roughly 13 percent of France’s aviation market capacity and is probably permanent, as Ryanair has already restructured its entire French network. This is a major capacity reduction relative to what has been done over the last few years in France, and it involves the French regional airports, regardless of whether the connections are domestic or international.

Reduction in Capacity Results in Collapse of Service

Of the changes Ryanair has made to their capacity, the most significant is the complete removal of winter services for Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg. For the winter season, Brive, Bergerac, and Strasbourg will be removed from Ryanair’s network entirely and will be disconnected from the low-cost carrier network. Concerns of a loss of service have already been raised at these airports, as, without sufficient volumes of operational flights, connections to other airports are unlikely to be provided.

Service Changes – Realignment and Permanent Changes

Despite the changes, Ryanair had already mentioned that some international routes, with Dublin – Rodez being one of them, are considered a permanent cancellation and are not expected to return in upcoming scheduling cycles. The service cut pattern illustrates a more long-term response to operational cost pressures, while the operational capacity is relocated to more favorable conditions.

Tax Legislation and Capacity

The key driver for this capacity alteration is the recent overhaul of France’s regulation concerning taxation on airline tickets, including increases to the Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets (TSBA) and additional airline travel taxes. These aviation taxes are amongst the highest in Europe and are expected to remain unchanged after the French government adjusts them in 2025. While the taxes aim to fund specific public policies, including social and environmental initiatives, they increase the operational costs for airlines, especially for short-haul and regional routes.

Effects on Passenger Connectivity

Service cuts and capacity reductions have direct effects on passengers and their ability to book travel. Those planning to travel to or from the impacted French cities may have to deal with less frequent flights, longer routes, and alternative airports or connections with other airlines. Although some French hubs still provide flights, the overall network covering France offered by Ryanair has shrunk compared to previous years.

Strain on Secondary Airports

According to airport operators at Brive and Bergerac, scheduled service cuts will reduce local connectivity and economic activity because the flights offered to the UK and other European destinations supported tourism, business travel, and cross-border travel. In some cases, airport authorities have stated that the absence of airline services could adversely impact the regional infrastructure’s long-term viability.

Changes to Networks Across Europe

Although adjustments are primarily directed towards France, these changes are indicative of a wider European network realignment consisting of adjustments to seats and routes in Spain, Germany, Belgium, and Portugal, among others, which are in response to increased operating costs. As a result of increased aviation taxes and associated costs, adjustments in operational capacity are to be made within markets that are less expensive to serve in portions of Italy, Sweden, Hungary, and Morocco, as well as elsewhere in Europe where fee structures are more favorable.

Expected Timetables and Possible Service Reintroductions

Some suspended routes, such as Bergerac, may be re-introduced in summer 2026 or other future years if costs permit and a suitable demand can be identified. Other routes, such as the Dublin–Rodez route, which has been suspended indefinitely, are unlikely to resume unless there are major changes in the structure of operational costs and taxes that make it economically feasible.

Policy Dialogue and Responses from The Industry

Experts in the industry have reported that the national policy decisions about aviation taxation have an impact on the strategic networking approaches made by the airlines, as they respond to the cost competitiveness of the adjacent markets. The tax system of France is compared with other European nations that decided to keep their taxes lower in order to foster the growth of air connectivity and tourism. The European regulatory environment remains in flux as a European-wide regulatory framework with a focus on tax and charge harmonisation for equitable growth in air transport is under discussion.

The post Ryanair Reduces Seat Capacity in France as High Aviation Taxes Reshape Regional Air Connectivity: What New Updates You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.