Overview
Ryanair has announced that it will cut all flights to the Azores starting in March 2026, marking the latest withdrawal from a popular European destination due to escalating airport fees and taxes.
A Decade of Service Comes to an End
The Azores — an autonomous Portuguese archipelago known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes — has long been a favorite for UK travelers.
For nearly ten years, Ryanair provided year-round connections, but the airline is now pulling six routes to the islands.
End Date
All flights will cease from 29 March 2026.
Why Ryanair Is Leaving the Azores
Ryanair cites several rising operational costs:
Airport Fees and Taxes
- Air traffic control charges have increased by 120% since the end of the pandemic.
- Airport operator ANA (owned by France’s Vinci Group) introduced a new €2 travel tax.
- Ryanair refers to ANA as a “monopoly” that faces no competition and can raise fees without consequence.
Airline’s Complaint
Ryanair is calling on the Portuguese government to intervene, arguing that profits benefit a foreign operator rather than the local economy.
Ryanair’s Official Statement
Ryanair CCO Jason McGuinness said:
“We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs.”
He added that these rising costs have left the airline with “no alternative” but to cancel all Azores routes and reassign aircraft to lower-cost airports elsewhere in Europe.
Environmental Taxes Also Blamed
McGuinness also criticized:
- “Anti-competitive environmental taxes” imposed by the EU
- The fact that these taxes exempt long-haul flights to the US and Middle East
- The impact on remote EU regions like the Azores
EU ETS Impact
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) requires airlines to pay for greenhouse gas emissions.
Currently, some airlines receive free emission allowances, but:
- By 2026, all free allowances for aviation will end.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary previously warned that travelers should expect fewer ultra-cheap fares as airlines absorb these rising CO₂ costs.
Cuts Across Europe
The Azores are not the only region affected. Ryanair has also announced reductions in France, Spain, and Germany due to similar airport fee increases and tax hikes.
