Budapest. Photo: PassportNews Ryanair announced today, Wednesday, October 28, 2026, a significant expansion of its operations at Budapest International Airport, as part of its new winter flight schedule.
According to the company's announcement, this winter season, Ryanair will operate 54 routes from the Hungarian capital, including eight new routes, and increase the number of aircraft stationed at the local base to 12.
The company estimates the move will support a 6% increase in passengers in Hungary, to about 6 million per year.
The expansion of operations includes eight new lines connecting Budapest to cities across Europe:
-East Midlands, United Kingdom
-Gdansk, Poland
-Gothenburg, Sweden
-Krakow, Poland
-Lamezia Terme, Italy
-Turin, Italy
-Venice, Italy
-Warsaw, Poland
This is a significant expansion of flight options from the Hungarian capital, with an emphasis on major cities and tourist destinations in northern, central and southern Europe.
For Budapest, which continues to strengthen its position as one of the most prominent urban tourism destinations in Central Europe, expanding the route network could increase visitor traffic and strengthen connections with additional European markets.
Ryanair. Photo: shutterstockAs part of its winter plan, Ryanair will add another aircraft to its Budapest base, bringing the total to 12.
According to the company, the total investment in the fleet based there will be about $1.2 billion.
Ryanair notes that its operations in Hungary support more than 4,800 jobs, including over 360 pilot and cabin crew positions.
The company also attributes the growth to the Hungarian government's decision to abolish the aviation tax starting in January 2025.
According to Ryanair, since the tax was abolished, its passenger traffic in Hungary has increased by about 17%, and it has continued to invest in expanding its base and opening new routes.
Alongside the announcement, Ryanair is criticizing the fee increase at Budapest Airport.
According to the company, fees have increased by more than 10% since 2024, harming the airport's competitiveness against other airports in Central and Eastern Europe.
Ryanair is calling on the Hungarian government, which controls the airport, to work to reduce fees to enable further growth.
According to the company, if economic conditions improve, it is prepared to expand its operations in Hungary to more than 10 million passengers per year, an increase of more than 65% compared to the current planned scope of operations.
The possible plan includes four additional aircraft and a total investment of $1.6 billion.
To mark the deployment of the 12th aircraft and the launch of the winter schedule, Ryanair has announced a three-day ticket sale, with prices starting at 7,250 Hungarian forints, subject to availability and booking conditions.
The expansion of operations in Budapest reflects growing competition among Central European airports for low-cost carriers and international tourist traffic, with taxation and fee policies becoming a key factor in companies' decisions on where to base aircraft and open new routes.