Ryanair launches Summer 2026 schedule for Alicante with three new routes

International

Airline expands to 89 routes and over 580 weekly flights, increasing capacity by 10 per cent

Ryanair has announced its Summer 2026 schedule for Alicante, introducing three new routes to Friedrichshafen and Saarbrücken in Germany, each operating twice weekly, and to Bratislava, Slovakia, with four weekly flights. In total, the airline will serve 89 routes from Alicante next summer, further strengthening connectivity for both residents and visitors.

The schedule also includes additional capacity on 40 existing popular routes, including Liverpool, Ibiza, Poznan, Budapest and Porto. Overall, Ryanair will operate more than 580 weekly flights from Alicante during the summer season, representing a ten per cent increase in seat capacity compared with the previous year.

Investment and local employment

The Summer 2026 programme will primarily be operated by Ryanair’s 20 Alicante-based aircraft, representing an investment of approximately 2 billion US dollars. The airline states that its operations at Alicante support more than 7,300 local jobs and contribute to the region’s position as a key tourism hub.

The new routes and weekly frequencies are as follows:

Friedrichshafen – 2 weekly flights

Saarbrücken – 2 weekly flights

Bratislava – 4 weekly flights

Debate over airport charges

While expanding in Alicante, Ryanair has criticised Aena’s proposal to increase airport charges by 21 per cent over the next five years. The airline argues that competitive pricing and low-cost airport infrastructure are essential to maintain Spain’s attractiveness for airline investment.

According to Ryanair, higher charges risk undermining Spain’s competitiveness and could lead to capacity shifting to lower-cost airports elsewhere in Europe. The airline has called on Spain’s competition authority CNMC and the Ministry of Transport to reconsider the proposed increases in order to protect connectivity, tourism and employment.

Commitment to Alicante

Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s Head of Communications and spokesperson in Spain, said:

“We are pleased to launch Ryanair’s Alicante Summer 2026 schedule, with 89 routes, including three new connections to Friedrichshafen, Saarbrücken (Germany) and Bratislava (Slovakia), as well as extra flights to 40 popular destinations such as Liverpool, Ibiza, Poznan, Budapest, Porto and many more! This new offer, which reaches over 580 flights a week, increases Ryanair’s capacity at Alicante by +10%, giving our customers even more choice at the lowest fares.

Despite AENA’s excessive charges, which have made flying from other Spanish regions too expensive and contributed to a 1.2M seat loss in the upcoming summer season, Ryanair remains committed to Alicante, where it continues adding more flights and new routes in response to a strong demand among international and national visitors. However, if AENA’s proposal to increase charges by another 21% by 2031 is approved, it will further damage air connectivity, tourism and jobs across Spain, as airline capacity will inevitably migrate to lower cost airports elsewhere in Europe.”

Flights for Summer 2026 are available to book now via Ryanair.com and the Ryanair app, with fares from €27.99 for travel until October, subject to booking by 5 March 2026.