Ryanair cuts capital in Vienna. Photo: Shutterstock Ryanair is deepening its cuts to its operations at Vienna Airport and announcing a further significant reduction ahead of the 2026 winter season.
According to the company's announcement, four aircraft will be withdrawn from the Vienna base and 12 routes will be canceled as part of the upcoming winter schedule.
This is an escalation of the move the company announced in the past, after it had already warned of reducing activity in Austria.
Photo: ShutterstockRyanair blames the decision on the country's high operating costs, primarily the €12 per passenger airport tax. The company also claims that air traffic control costs in Austria have increased by about 60% since the Corona period, while Vienna airport fees have increased by about 30%.
The company is putting renewed pressure on the Austrian government to abolish the airport tax and reduce the costs imposed on airlines, claiming that the current situation is harming Vienna's competitiveness against other airports in Europe.
According to Ryanair, Vienna Airport is expected to record a decrease of approximately 3 million passengers in 2026, with airline capacity reductions being one of the main factors.
The current move is particularly significant because it deepens the cuts that were already planned. Previously, Ryanair announced the removal of two aircraft from its base in Vienna, and now it is already four aircraft and the cancellation of 12 routes in the winter season.
The Vienna cut follows a series of similar moves by Ryanair in European markets where it says costs, taxes and fees are making operations less profitable. The company continues to use aircraft relocation and route reductions as a means of putting pressure on governments and airports across Europe.