Ryanair has announced it will pull out of several French regional airports following significant tax increases across the country. The budget carrier has criticised a rise in aviation taxes, prompting the dramatic withdrawal decision.

Whilst numerous regional airports were already ditched by the budget airline this year - with Strasbourg, Bergerac, and Vatry getting the chop - Ryanair's commercial director, Jason McGuinness, has revealed that more French airports will join the exodus in forthcoming months. Speaking to French publication Challenges, he claimed that a 180% tax surge rendered regional airports 'unviable' for the carrier.

His intervention came three days after Ryanair published very strong financial results for the first half of its fiscal year, which ends in March 2026: net profit exceeded market expectations, reaching €2.54 billion from April to September, up 42%, thanks to higher ticket prices. Ryanair also raised its annual passenger traffic forecast to 207 million, compared to the initial 206 million

France's 2025 Budget, unveiled by the government, features a levy increase for air travel, imposing an extra charge of 4.77 euros per ticket for both domestic and European departures from France. Mr McGuinness said: "We will be leaving several regional airports in France this summer. When you increase taxes by 180%, it makes these airports unviable for us."

The tax surge has also meant long-haul business-class tickets face an additional charge of up to 120 euros. Originally, French authorities argued the enhanced taxes would deliver economic advantages, though they have acknowledged fierce opposition from numerous aviation sector representatives.

Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, previously informed Le Parisien that the carrier would slash its travel capacity throughout France should the government opt to hike taxes on air travel. He branded a substantial tax rise on aviation as 'unjustified' given the sector fails to produce significant revenue. The airline boss revealed plans to potentially double yearly passenger numbers in France by 2030, provided the government scrapped the levies.

Nevertheless, he also suggested there were more affordable options in alternative markets, warning that further tax increases would prompt even deeper capacity reductions. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot slammed Ryanair's announcement, accusing the budget carrier of employing 'aggressive' strategies to "evade their obligations".

This follows Ryanair's decision to cut its winter capacity in France by 11%, despite introducing 31,000 additional flights and six million extra seats versus the previous winter. The capacity reductions are believed to have been implemented following aviation tax rises and the loss of approximately 7.3 million passengers due to French Air Traffic Control (ATC) disruptions.

Whilst Strasbourg, Vatry, Bergerac, and Brive were virtually deserted by the carrier, Beziers saw more than 100 flights axed during the winter months.