Ryanair, Europe's largest budget airline, has confirmed it will significantly reduce its flight operations from France next summer. The decision is a direct response to a sharp increase in aviation taxes imposed by the French government.
The French Tax That Grounded Flights
The core issue driving Ryanair's retreat from several French regional airports is a substantial tax increase. The airline's chief commercial officer, Jason McGuinness, stated that France has implemented a 180 per cent tax hike on aviation. This move, according to the airline, makes continued operations on many routes financially unviable.
McGuinness emphasised that this tax policy is making France an increasingly expensive and unattractive market for low-cost carriers. The airports affected by this summer capacity cut will include Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg, with operations ceasing entirely at these locations.
Ryanair's Strategic Shift to Italy
Faced with rising costs in France, Ryanair is not simply cutting capacity but reallocating it. The airline plans to move these resources to other European markets where operating costs remain lower. A key beneficiary of this strategic shift is Italy, where some regions have taken the opposite approach by abolishing aviation taxes altogether.
This manoeuvre allows Ryanair to maintain its signature low operating costs, which in turn enables the airline to continue offering competitive fares to passengers in more favourable markets. This redeployment of aircraft is a clear business decision aimed at protecting profitability.
A Wider Pattern of European Cuts
The reduction in French services is not an isolated incident. It follows a pattern of Ryanair trimming its network in other major European countries. The airline had previously announced similar service reductions in Spain.
Furthermore, Ryanair has already implemented a substantial reduction to its German winter schedule. This earlier cut impacted a staggering 800,000 seats and 24 routes, signalling a broader strategic realignment across the continent rather than a country-specific dispute.
The overall effect for travellers is a rapidly changing landscape for European budget travel, with some regional airports losing vital connectivity while others may gain new routes.
