Ryanair launches Summer 2026 schedule for Germany - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Ryanair has announced its Summer 2026 flight schedule for Germany, introducing two new airports to its network and restoring 300,000 seats alongside 14 new routes. The expansion follows the German government’s decision to reduce the aviation tax from July 2026 and freeze air navigation charges.

The capacity increase benefits several regional airports that have worked with Ryanair to lower operating costs, including Cologne/Bonn, Weeze, Memmingen and Bremen. According to the airline, these measures have allowed it to reverse previously planned capacity reductions for the summer 2026 season.

However, Ryanair’s total capacity in Germany will still remain below Summer 2025 levels, with a reduction of 220,000 seats overall. The airline continues to cut capacity at airports it considers too expensive, including Berlin and Hamburg, which it says have refused to reduce airport charges.

Capacity reductions at high-cost airports

Berlin, which Ryanair describes as the most expensive airport in its German network, will see capacity fall by 150,000 seats, representing a five percent decline. Hamburg is expected to lose around 70,000 seats, equivalent to a 20 percent reduction.

According to the airline, these reductions illustrate how high airport charges can affect traffic volumes, tourism and employment across the country.

Ryanair calls for further aviation reforms

While Ryanair welcomed the German government’s decision to reduce the aviation tax and freeze air navigation charges, the airline said Germany remains less competitive than several European countries, including Sweden, Albania, Hungary, Slovakia and parts of Italy, where aviation taxes have been abolished entirely.

The airline has called on the German government and Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to abolish the aviation tax completely, halve air navigation and security charges and ensure competitive airport costs nationwide.

Ryanair stated that if such reforms were implemented, it would be prepared to expand significantly in the German market. The airline says it could double its passenger numbers in Germany to 34 million annually, station 30 additional aircraft in the country with an investment of approximately three billion US dollars, and launch more than 200 new routes. According to the company, this expansion would create more than 1,000 additional aviation jobs.

Ryanair welcomes policy change but urges further action

“We welcome the German government’s decision to reduce the aviation tax from July 2026 and to freeze air navigation charges,” said Marcel Pouchain Meyer, Head of Communications DACH at Ryanair.

“This has enabled Ryanair to restore 300,000 seats and launch 14 new routes for Summer 2026, bringing immediate benefits for regional connectivity, tourism and jobs. Despite this positive first step, Ryanair’s overall capacity in Germany for Summer 2026 will remain 220,000 seats below 2025 levels, as high-cost airports such as Berlin and Hamburg continue to refuse to reduce their completely uncompetitive charges.”

“Ryanair again calls on the German government and Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to abolish the aviation tax entirely, cut excessive air navigation and security charges by 50 percent and ensure competitive airport costs across Germany. If these growth-supporting reforms are implemented, Ryanair is ready to double its traffic in Germany to 34 million passengers annually, base 30 additional aircraft in the country with a three-billion-dollar investment, add more than 200 new routes and create over 1,000 well-paid aviation jobs.”

“Until Germany fully abolishes its growth-damaging aviation tax and addresses excessive airport, security and air navigation charges, the country will continue to lose traffic, tourism and jobs to more competitive European markets.”

New routes for Summer 2026

The airline announced the following new routes for the Summer 2026 schedule:

Friedrichshafen – Alicante

Frankfurt Hahn – Rabat

Friedrichshafen – Palma de Mallorca

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden – Amman

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden – Bucharest (Băneasa)

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden – Rabat

Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden – Tirana

Memmingen – Tirana

Memmingen – Bucharest (Băneasa)

Nuremberg – Rabat

Saarbrücken – Alicante

Saarbrücken – Lamezia Terme

Saarbrücken – Trapani

Cologne – Rimini

Image Credit: © Ryanair