By announcing its withdrawal from "several regional French airports" for the summer of 2026, Ryanair has sent shockwaves through the tourism and transportation sectors. The reason? A soaring tax on airline tickets (TSBA), which has become "unviable" for the low-cost carrier, according to its commercial director. This announced withdrawal prompts tourism professionals to re-evaluate their relationship with the regions of France and rethink their territorial strategies.
Summary
What we know and why the announcement is causing shockwaves in the regions
In an exclusive interview with Challenges on November 7, 2025, Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, stated that regional French airports are becoming "economically unviable for us" following a 180% increase in the TSBA (Taxe Spéciale de Bâtiment - Special Business Act). The airline confirmed that it plans to reduce its presence at several French airports for the summer of 2026, without specifying which ones.
As early as 2025, Ryanair had closed its bases in Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg, eliminating 25 routes and reducing its winter capacity by 13%, or approximately 750,000 seats. For tourism professionals—agencies, hoteliers, tour operators, and regional airports—this strategy sends a strong signal: regional France risks losing its appeal as an air travel destination to countries considered more fiscally competitive.
7 actions to take right now
- Map your air dependencies → identify the destinations you offer that depend on Ryanair.
- Measuring the impact on accommodation and transfers → a withdrawal often reduces the flow of low-cost passengers to a region.
- Build an "air plan B" → consider other companies, strengthen rail or road access, adjust fares.
- Strengthening regional partnerships → cooperate with local tourism offices and airports to explore aid and renegotiations.
- Supporting your sales arguments → "we anticipate changes, therefore we stay".
- Assess impact scenarios → reduced capacity, price increases, decreased attendance, less local benefits.
- Plan for continuous monitoring → follow government-company negotiations and prepare communication for your clients.
Three scenarios for Ryanair's impact on your territories
| Scenario | Assumption | Implications for tourism professionals |
|---|---|---|
| Limited recovery | Ryanair is drastically reducing its flights, but other airlines are partially compensating | Readjust the offer, prioritize less sensitive segments, adapt the communication. |
| Massive exit | Ryanair is closing several major bases, resulting in a significant drop in flights | Negotiate with local stakeholders, rethink the regional offer, strengthen rail alternatives. |
| Domino effect | Other low-cost airlines are following suit, discouraged by taxation | Risk of lasting imbalance, need to reposition destinations. |
Questions your customers or partners might ask
1. Why does the word "Ryanair" come up so often?
Because Ryanair, the European leader in air transport, acts as a barometer: its decisions influence routes, prices and regional competitiveness.
2. Is this the end of low-cost flights to France?
Not necessarily, but some regions could lose their low-cost service to other markets deemed more profitable.
3. How to reassure customers?
By explaining that you are anticipating the changes: alternatives exist and access remains possible, even with other companies.
4. Will prices increase?
Probably, if fewer companies serve a region → the supply becomes more limited and prices rise.
5. What should the regions do?
Engage in dialogue with companies, offer incentives, diversify operators and avoid dependence on a single carrier.
Concrete example: what this changes in your offers
A tour operator offering "French region + low-cost flight" packages will need to verify the continuity of Ryanair flights or plan an alternative. If the route disappears, the entire chain (price, transfers, logistics) is affected. For hoteliers, a decrease in low-cost traffic can reduce occupancy rates during the off-season or increase their reliance on high-end clientele. Air access becomes a key factor in stability.
Key takeaways and actions
- Use the keyword Ryanair in your communications and transport analyses.
- Audit your airline-dependent destinations.
- Diversify your regional access options → train, bus, other companies.
- Adapt your marketing messages → “Prepared for any change of company” rather than “flight guaranteed”.
- Collaborating with local stakeholders to anticipate Ryanair's departures.
- Plan your customer scenarios and flows for 2026.
- Inform your customers and partners → “We are monitoring the Ryanair situation and adapting our services.”.
👉 Want to learn more? Check out our interactive 2026 report for tourism professionals: https://infostourisme.com/tendances2026
Updates
- Interview published on November 7, 2025 in Challenges.
- The TSBA is rising to around €7.30 for an intra-European flight, compared to €2.63 previously, according to Ryanair.
- The company specifies that "none of the 300 additional aircraft" expected will be based in France.
