Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has announced a significant reduction in its French flight operations for the winter 2025/2026 season.
The move sees the airline completely halting services to Brive, Bergerac, and Strasbourg airports.
This decision, driven by France’s steep increase in the Airline Ticket Solidarity Tax (TSBA), will impact travellers, regional economies, and tourism.
Why Is Ryanair Cutting Flights?
The primary reason for Ryanair’s decision is a 180% hike in France’s TSBA, implemented in March 2025.
The tax jumped from €2.63 to €7.40 per economy-class passenger on domestic and intra-European flights, with even higher rates for business class and long-haul routes (up to €40 for economy and €120 for business class).
Ryanair calls this increase “astronomical,” arguing it makes France less competitive than countries like Ireland or Spain, which have no such air taxes.
With an average ticket price of €45, the airline claims the tax—adding up to €25 per passenger—renders many regional routes unprofitable, especially during the low-demand winter season.
Impact on Brive, Bergerac, and Strasbourg
Ryanair will cease all operations at three French airports starting late October 2025.
Bergerac (Dordogne)
Ryanair’s withdrawal will result in an estimated loss of 18,000 passengers, about 7% of the airport’s annual traffic.
Bergerac typically sees reduced winter operations, with only the London-Stansted route active, but this will now be suspended.
The impact may be softened by a planned runway closure in January and February 2026, but local officials fear long-term consequences if Ryanair doesn’t return for summer 2026.
Brive (Corrèze)
Flights to London-Stansted and other destinations will stop, aligning with Ryanair’s broader 13% capacity cut in France.
Brive’s airport has not yet commented, but the loss of Ryanair’s low-cost routes could disrupt regional connectivity.
Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin)
Ryanair will end services to destinations like Portugal and Scotland. This follows the airline’s earlier exit from Vatry airport in spring 2025, further reducing its presence in eastern France.
Broader Effects on French Aviation
Ryanair’s cuts extend beyond these airports, with a 13% reduction in France’s overall flight capacity—equating to 750,000 fewer seats and 25 cancelled routes.
Major hubs like Marseille (9% seat reduction), Paris-Beauvais (8%), and Toulouse (4%) will also see fewer flights.
Regional airports face a combined 27% seat cut, threatening connectivity and tourism, particularly in areas like Dordogne, popular with British travellers.
The Dordogne Chamber of Commerce warned that a permanent exit from Bergerac could jeopardize the airport’s survival.
What’s Behind the Decision?
Ryanair blames the French government’s refusal to reverse the tax hike, despite warnings from the airline and the Union des Aéroports Français (UAF).
Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness emphasized that the tax undermines France’s competitiveness and could lead to further cuts in summer 2026 if unchanged.
However, Ryanair dangled a carrot: a potential €2.5 billion investment, including 25 new planes and doubling passenger traffic to 30 million annually, if the tax is scrapped.
Some critics call this a “blackmail” tactic to secure subsidies, a strategy Ryanair has used elsewhere.
What This Means for Travelers
For those planning to fly to or from Brive, Bergerac, or Strasbourg this winter, it will mean finding alternatives.
Other airlines, like EasyJet, may step in, but no commitments have yet been confirmed. Travellers should check with airports or other carriers for updated schedules.
For UK tourists, the loss of Ryanair’s affordable flights to Dordogne could make holidays less accessible, potentially increasing costs or requiring longer travel routes via larger hubs like Bordeaux or Paris.
The future of Ryanair’s operations in these regions remains uncertain. The airline hasn’t confirmed whether it will resume flights for summer 2026, raising concerns about long-term economic impacts.
