Ryanair cuts two more aircraft from Vienna base for Summer 2026

International

Airline urges Austrian government to scrap aviation tax and support $1 billion growth plan

Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, announced that it will remove two additional aircraft from its Vienna base for Summer 2026, representing a $200 million reduction in investment, after the Austrian government failed to abolish its aviation tax and reduce what the airline describes as excessive airport fees at Vienna International Airport.

The decision follows the government’s lack of response to Ryanair’s proposed €1 billion growth plan, presented to the Austrian Chancellor in September. The plan aimed to increase Ryanair’s Austrian traffic to 12 million passengers annually (+70%) and to base 10 additional Boeing 737-8 “Gamechanger” aircraft in Vienna by 2030.

According to Ryanair, Austria’s €12 per passenger aviation tax, one of the highest in Europe, is making the country uncompetitive compared to lower-cost EU markets such as Italy, Slovakia, Hungary and Sweden, where governments are actively abolishing or reducing aviation taxes to stimulate tourism and air traffic.

Austria “losing aircraft, traffic, and jobs”

Ryanair noted that it has already withdrawn three aircraft and closed three routes from Vienna for the Winter 2025 schedule. Other airlines, including Wizz Air, Level and easyJet, have shut down their Vienna bases, while Lufthansa has announced the removal of 10 aircraft from its Austrian Airlines fleet.

“The Austrian government must wake up if it wants to save Austria’s failing air traffic, tourism and jobs,” the airline said in a statement. “The only solution is to scrap the aviation tax and lower Vienna Airport’s excessive fees.”

O’Leary: “A missed opportunity for growth”

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Group CEO, commented:

“We are disappointed with the Austrian government’s failure to honour its promise to respond to our $1 billion growth plan, which would grow Ryanair’s Austrian traffic by 70% to 12 million passengers annually, base another 10 aircraft at Vienna, add 40 new routes and create 300 high-paying jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers.”

“All Chancellor Stocker had to do was scrap Austria’s harmful aviation tax – which only raises about €160 million a year – yet remains one of the highest in Europe at €12 per passenger.”

O’Leary added that, due to the government’s inaction, Ryanair will now reallocate aircraft capacity to other European markets, such as Italy, Hungary and Slovakia, where governments are removing aviation taxes to attract traffic and boost tourism.

Warning of further cuts

Ryanair reiterated that Austria’s air travel market is “collapsing” under the weight of high taxes and airport charges. Unless the government takes immediate action to support low-fare growth, the airline warned, more cuts and higher ticket prices will follow — further damaging Austria’s competitiveness as a tourism and aviation hub.

“The message is clear,” O’Leary concluded. “Abolish the aviation tax now and support growth in air traffic and tourism — or face continued decline.”