France, Europe: The Low-cost carrier Ryanair will cut 13% of its winter seat capacity in France, equivalent to around 750,000 seats, citing what it calls an “excessive” increase in the country’s air ticket tax. The move will see the airline withdraw completely from Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg airports and cancel 25 routes nationwide.
The cuts follow a 180% rise in France’s “solidarity tax” on air tickets, implemented in March 2025. The levy, originally designed to fund public health and climate initiatives, was sharply increased by the French government earlier this year. Ryanair says the tax hike has made operations in regional airports unviable during the winter season.
“France has now made itself one of the least attractive markets in Europe for low-fare growth,” said Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary, “Instead of supporting regional airports and tourism, they are imposing punitive charges that destroy connectivity and jobs.”
According to Ryanair’s winter schedule update, Bergerac Airport in the Dordogne region will lose its entire Ryanair service, a blow local officials warn could affect tourism-dependent businesses. Airport authorities estimate the cuts will mean 18,000 fewer passengers, or roughly 7% of annual traffic. Brive and Strasbourg airports will also see all Ryanair flights withdrawn from late October.
In addition to the three full withdrawals, routes from other French airports will be trimmed. Analysis by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) shows that the reductions will primarily affect services to Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom key short-haul markets for French holidaymakers.
French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot dismissed Ryanair’s criticism, telling The Times that the airline “remains profitable in France” and accusing it of using the tax increase as an excuse to reallocate capacity to other markets. “This is a commercial decision, not a necessity,” Tabarot said, while defending the government’s decision to increase the solidarity levy as part of its climate and budgetary commitments.
For now, travelers using affected French airports face reduced options from the start of the winter timetable on October 27, 2025. The cancellations come amid a broader debate in Europe over balancing environmental taxation with maintaining regional air connectivity.
