Ryanair to scrap flights to three Spanish destinations from April 2027

Travellers flying between Germany and Spain will lose three direct Ryanair routes next spring after the airline confirmed it will end all operations at Bremen Airport. From April 2027, its connections with Alicante, Málaga and Palma de Mallorca will disappear.

On October 8, the Irish carrier announced the cancellation of all routes to and from the German airport, which will result in the reduction of approximately 500,000 seats per year. Ryanair said that it was forced to make this decision due to high airport charges, taxation, and other operating costs.

Also affected is the connection between Bremen and London Stansted, which could make travel more difficult for British passengers based at Bremen.

The announcement concerns Bremen rather than an abandonment of the Spanish connection. However, the current customers will have to consider other routes for the summer of 2027.

Ryanair confirms Bremen exit: Alicante, Málaga and Mallorca routes affected

The decision applies to three Spanish airports that have connections with Bremen: Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport and Palma de Mallorca Airport.

These lines make a direct connection with the most popular holiday spots of Spain, the Costa Blanca, the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands.

According to aviation industry data published by ch-aviation, Ryanair’s Bremen network comprises six destinations: Alicante, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, London Stansted, Zadar and Lamezia Terme, with the Italian route scheduled to launch on October 26

This means that the airline’s withdrawal is more than just a matter of Spain for holiday trips; it means the whole of Ryanair’s Bremen network is going to be over, the network which was established here almost two decades ago.

The official company statement is that all flights from Bremen will end in April 2027, and that the estimated half million seats will be transferred to other European airports and regions.

For travellers planning their holiday, the timing is very important. The withdrawal is just at the beginning of the 2027 summer season, when the traffic to Spain is usually increasing.

On its website, Ryanair still offers fares to Bremen up to March 2027, but flights from April onwards have been removed.

This does not mean Ryanair is abandoning Alicante, Málaga and Palma de Mallorca altogether. They will be operating large schedules from these Spanish airports. The only cancellations concerned are the direct flights to and from Bremen.

However, for the passengers who used to travel between the north of Germany and Spain without changing planes, these changes will probably lead to longer journeys or the need to look for an alternative departure point.

Why is Ryanair withdrawing from Bremen Airport?

Ryanair cites as the reason for the change the excessive cost of operating in Germany.

Ryanair cited several reasons for its withdrawal, including air traffic control charges, security fees, airport charges and Germany’s aviation tax.

These expenses, the company claims, make Bremen less competitive than other European airports, which have cheaper operating costs.

Then Ryanair’s chief commercial officer, Jason McGuinness, spoke of a loss of 500,000 seats per year, a major source of air traffic and visitors to Bremen and the surrounding area.

He also pointed out that other German airports could face similar reductions if costs were not reduced to make the country more attractive to international operators.

According to Ryanair, the capacity it is withdrawing from Bremen will be redeployed at other European airports and in other areas where the operating conditions are more favorable.

However, local authorities in Bremen dispute the airline’s explanation.

In a report on the German public service broadcaster Tagesschau’s web page, the economic department of the city of Bremen is quoted as saying that the company wants to make use of the airport’s equipment and services at almost no cost to itself.

The conflict between the low-cost carriers, which are seeking to minimize their fees, and the regional airports, which need to be able to support themselves financially, is more than apparent.

The consequences for Bremen could be considerable: German news agencies report that, over the past few years, Ryanair has carried around 400,000 passengers via the Bremen airport, which in the last year accounted for around two million passengers.

Loss of this service could, therefore, represent a considerable reduction in the flow of traffic, though the ultimate effect will depend on the extent to which other air companies will take up the route.

This decision is based on the reduction of capacity that Ryanair has been making across Germany. The company has repeatedly complained about the taxes levied on aviation and the high costs of running airports.

For Spain, the announcement means the loss of three direct connections with Bremen from April 2027, rather than Ryanair withdrawing from the three Spanish airports themselves.

What travellers to Spain should know before April 2027

A particular warning goes out to travellers going to Alicante, Málaga or Palma de Mallorca on dates which are definitely restricted.

From April 2027, Ryanair is scheduled to withdraw, which means that the routes will be removed from its summer schedule.

Those wishing to book for Easter or the summer holidays are asked to check the details of the service on the official Ryanair website before making arrangements for their accommodation or other transport.

The regular traveller who usually flies from Bremen may well have to consider alternative routes, possibly to Hamburg or to Hanover, according to the circumstances at the time of departure.

Another way of getting to Spain is to go by other airlines, although there is no guarantee that direct replacement services will be introduced on all three routes.

This is of particular importance to travelers who have relatives, homes or commitments in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol and in Mallorca and who previously relied on these connections.

German press has been reporting that Bremen is about to lose its only direct link with the United Kingdom unless another airline steps in. And as far as British travellers are concerned, they’ll be left without a link to the UK, at least until another operator takes up the challenge.

Importantly, this announcement does not necessarily mean that the existing flights will be cancelled immediately. It is noteworthy that the date of termination of operations is April 2027, and before then the passengers should check with the airline to see whether their flights are affected.

As far as flights already booked but later cancelled by the company, passengers should be contacted about alternative arrangements.

According to European regulations, a passenger who has his flight cancelled generally has the right to choose between a refund or an alternative route, subject to certain conditions. Any compensation is dependent on the circumstances of the cancellation and the notification.

So please keep your ticket and watch out for all communication from Ryanair.

For now the most important difference is that Alicante, Málaga and Palma de Mallorca will not be removed from the Ryanair network. What will end is the direct connection with Bremen, as the low-cost carrier redistributes its capacity away from the German airport.

It is a further reminder that a traveller’s route can be changed at any time, and that it is worth re-checking the routes before booking flights.