Ryanair will no longer be flying to a popular airport in the EU as aviation levies continue to rise in Europe. They announced they will be axing all routes from Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands.
The budget carrier’s latest shake-up will take effect from October 26, cutting off all Ryanair-operated routes from the Dutch airport, including popular services to Alicante, Bari, Girona, Porto, and Zadar. The decision is expected to eliminate 150,000 annual seats and remove five direct European connections.
The move comes as part of Ryanair’s ongoing battle against rising aviation levies across the continent.
The airline blamed Maastricht’s growing operational costs and the Netherlands’ eco-tax, introduced in 2021 and now reportedly costing up to €30 (£25) per passenger, as key factors in its decision.
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, voiced disappointment over the exit, blaming Maastricht for failing to recover post-pandemic and accusing the airport of “pricing itself out of the market.”
“Ryanair continues to grow traffic across Europe by offering unbeatable low fares at airports with low access costs,” McGuinness said.
“Maastricht’s sky-high charges have irreparably damaged its connectivity. The airport has only recovered 50% of its pre-Covid traffic in 2024, a figure that will fall further now.”
The Netherlands isn’t alone in facing Ryanair’s ire. Earlier this year, the airline slashed its summer schedule in Spain by 18%, cutting 12 routes and removing 800,000 seats, citing unfavourable fee increases.
It also pulled out of Aalborg, Denmark, in protest of a newly imposed 50 DKK (£5.57) departure fee.
In a silver lining for UK passengers, Ryanair has also announced the launch of a new route from Edinburgh to Rzeszów, Poland’s under-the-radar southeastern gem.
Beginning this October, the twice-weekly flights will start from just £15, offering British travellers a budget-friendly escape to a city known for its medieval charm, vibrant culture, and celebrated Christmas markets.
Aviation expert Anton Radchenko, founder of AirAdvisor, said: “Regional airports in the UK are getting more love, while underperforming bases like Maastricht are being cut loose.”
He warned, however, that Ryanair’s aggressive route strategy also comes with volatility. “While UK passengers benefit from more direct options from places like Edinburgh and Norwich, they also remain vulnerable to sudden route cancellations.”
Maastricht Airport has yet to respond to Ryanair’s decision.
