Ryanair draws conclusions: fleet in Vienna is shrinking drastically!

Ryanair draws conclusions: fleet in Vienna is shrinking drastically!

Ryanair announces a significant reduction in its fleet at Vienna-Schwechat Airport. As of now, three of the 19 aircraft stationed in Vienna will be withdrawn. This decision is accompanied by the cancellation of three routes: Billund (Denmark), Santander (Spain) and Tallinn (Estonia) will no longer be served due to winter. The main reasons for this withdrawal are the high taxes and fees that the airline has to bear in Austria.

The Irish airline has repeatedly criticized the air traffic tax of 12 euros per passenger as well as the high airport fees and air traffic control service fees. In a statement, Vienna is rated as increasingly unattractive from an economic point of view. These measures directly affect around 100 of the company's employees, as the aircraft and routes are no longer in operation.

Consequences for passengers and airport

Ryanair's withdrawal not only affects the workforce, but also the choice for passengers. The reduction in the fleet will lead to a noticeable reduction in air traffic capacity at Vienna Airport. However, Ryanair has stated that despite these setbacks, 18 aircraft will continue to operate in Vienna. In summer 2025, the airline plans to offer over 80 destinations. In addition, frequencies to popular destinations such as Faro, Palma de Mallorca, Olbia and Dublin have been increased, and a new connection to Salerno on the Amalfi Coast is being introduced with two weekly direct flights.

The reduction is part of a larger strategy by Ryanair that can be observed across Europe. In Denmark, all flight operations from Billund Airport will be suspended from March 2025 and six routes in Germany will be eliminated. The Spanish locations are also affected, where a total of 13 routes at seven regional airports will be canceled.

Criticism of high costs and air traffic taxes

Ryanair's current decision is not limited to the Austrian market alone. Wizz Air, which also entered the Vienna market two years ago, recently responded by completely abandoning its base in Vienna. These measures were also justified by the high operating costs, particularly aviation taxes and fees. Wizz Air plans to strategically focus on its core markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

Ryanair has clear demands from politicians regarding the aviation tax. The airline is calling on both the Austrian and German governments to abolish or reduce taxes in order to increase competitiveness. In Germany, aviation fell 23 percent behind the figures of previous years after the pandemic, while countries such as Spain, Italy and Poland have already recorded significant increases in air traffic because they do not levy any air traffic tax.

The situation on the Austrian and German market shows how important political decisions are for the economic future of airlines. Competitive framework conditions are crucial to offer both passengers and airlines attractive offers. The developments in Vienna are therefore not only a story of Ryanair, but also a warning to aviation policy from all over Europe.