Ryanair adds fourth aircraft at Memmingen Airport for winter 2026

Germany

The airline plans 25 routes, including new services to Catania and Tirana, and expects passenger traffic to rise by 21% despite wider capacity reductions in Germany

Ryanair is expanding its operations at Memmingen Airport in southern Germany for the winter 2026 season, adding a fourth based aircraft and introducing two new routes. The airline announced on 20 October that its winter schedule will comprise 25 destinations, with Catania in Sicily and Tirana in Albania joining the network. Passenger traffic is expected to exceed 700,000 during the season, representing a 21% increase compared with winter 2025.

The expansion represents a total aircraft investment valued by Ryanair at US$400 million and strengthens Memmingen's position within the carrier's German network. According to the airline, its operations at the airport support more than 1,600 jobs in the surrounding region. Ryanair attributes the airport's growth to competitive charges and efficient operating conditions, which it considers increasingly important in the German aviation market.

The announcement comes against a contrasting national backdrop. While Ryanair is increasing capacity at Memmingen, it has criticised Germany's aviation tax and airport-related charges, arguing that they discourage investment and restrict traffic growth elsewhere in the country. The carrier is using its expansion in Bavaria to demonstrate how regional airports can attract additional services when operating costs remain competitive.

New connections to Sicily and Albania

The addition of Catania and Tirana broadens Memmingen's winter network with two destinations serving different travel markets.

Catania provides access to eastern Sicily, including the city itself, Mount Etna and the island's coastal destinations. The new connection adds another option for leisure travel between southern Germany and Italy during the winter season.

Tirana, meanwhile, strengthens connections with Albania, a destination that has attracted increasing international attention for its combination of cultural attractions, mountain landscapes and Adriatic coastline. The route also provides additional travel opportunities for passengers visiting friends and relatives.

With 25 routes planned, Memmingen continues to serve as an alternative departure point for travelers from Bavaria and neighbouring regions. The airport's location also makes it relevant for passengers from parts of Austria and Switzerland.

The fourth based aircraft will support the expanded winter programme, although Ryanair has not specified the individual frequencies of the two new services in its announcement.

The airline expects its winter passenger volume to exceed 700,000, an increase of approximately one-fifth compared with the previous winter. The forecast reflects the additional capacity being introduced at the airport rather than confirmed passenger numbers.

Ryanair calls for lower aviation costs in Germany

Alongside the Memmingen expansion, Ryanair renewed its criticism of the cost structure facing airlines in Germany.

The carrier argues that aviation taxes, airport charges, security fees and air navigation costs make the country less competitive than other European markets. It has repeatedly called on the German government to abolish the aviation tax and reduce airport access costs.

Marcel Pouchain Meyer, Ryanair's Head of Communications for the German-speaking markets, highlighted Memmingen as an example of the conditions under which the airline is prepared to expand.

“Memmingen proves that growth is possible when airports are efficient and competitive,” he said.

Ryanair maintains that it has sufficient aircraft capacity and passenger demand to increase its presence at other German airports, provided operating costs are reduced.

The airline has outlined a conditional investment proposal worth an additional US$3 billion. Under more favourable cost conditions, it says it would be prepared to allocate 30 additional aircraft to Germany, increase traffic by more than 34 million passengers and create over 1,000 new Ryanair jobs by 2034.

These figures represent the airline's stated investment ambitions rather than confirmed expansion commitments. Their implementation would depend on changes to Germany's aviation cost structure and subsequent commercial decisions.

Regional growth contrasts with national challenges

The Memmingen announcement illustrates the different conditions facing regional airports within Germany's aviation market.

For airports able to offer competitive operating costs, additional based aircraft can generate more flight connections, higher passenger volumes and increased demand for airport-related services. The effects can extend to ground handling, hospitality, transport and other businesses serving departing and arriving passengers.

Ryanair estimates that its Memmingen operations support more than 1,600 regional jobs. The figure refers to employment associated with the airline's activities and should not be interpreted as the number of new positions created by the fourth aircraft.

For the winter launch, the carrier has also introduced promotional fares starting at €29.99, available through its booking app. The offer is intended to stimulate demand for the expanded schedule, with actual ticket prices depending on route, travel date and availability.

The additional aircraft and new routes reinforce Memmingen's role as a growing low-cost aviation hub in southern Germany. At the same time, Ryanair's announcement highlights the continuing debate over aviation taxes and operating charges, which the airline considers a major obstacle to broader growth in the German market.