Ryanair will launch 10 new routes from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport for the winter 2025 season, expanding its European network and increasing capacity by 12 percent. The Irish low-cost carrier said the move will support 6,700 local jobs and strengthen the province’s air connectivity throughout the year.
The airline announced the expansion during the Costa Blanca Air Connectivity event, outlining new flights to Slovakia, Austria, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Spain. Ryanair will operate a total of 79 routes from Alicante this winter, with 16 aircraft based at the airport and an investment valued at $1.6 billion.
New European routes and added frequencies
The new services will include flights to Bratislava in Slovakia; Linz and Salzburg in Austria; Bydgoszcz and Rzeszow in Poland; Cardiff and Aberdeen in the United Kingdom; Stockholm Vasteras and Smaland in Sweden; and Lanzarote in Spain. The expanded schedule begins in November 2025 and will run through March 2026.
Ryanair will also increase flight frequencies on existing routes to Milan, Marrakech, Budapest, and Edinburgh. According to the airline, the additional capacity aims to improve year-round connectivity and provide passengers with more affordable options during the winter period.
“Our goal is to offer citizens and visitors more options and regular connections at the lowest fares in Europe,” said Alejandra Ruiz, Ryanair’s spokesperson in Spain. The company said that Alicante remains one of its key operational bases in southern Europe due to strong demand from both leisure and visiting friends-and-family travelers.
Ryanair’s current base in Alicante will operate with 16 stationed aircraft, maintaining a strong presence in the Spanish market despite operational adjustments elsewhere. The airline estimates that its local investment of $1.6 billion contributes directly to regional employment and tourism growth.
Local impact and tourism importance
The president of the Alicante Provincial Council, Toni Pérez, said that 90 percent of international tourists arriving in the province enter through Alicante-Elche Airport, underscoring its significance to the regional economy. He described the airport as “essential for local employment and tourism,” highlighting the importance of the airline’s expanded activity.
Ryanair said the additional routes are expected to stimulate inbound tourism to the Costa Blanca, one of Spain’s most visited coastal regions. The airline continues to focus on maintaining a balance between domestic routes and international connections, with the latter representing the majority of passenger traffic through Alicante.
According to data shared during the event, Alicante-Elche Airport has seen consistent growth in passenger numbers over recent years, particularly from northern and central Europe. The airport serves as a key access point for travelers visiting destinations such as Benidorm, Calpe, and Altea.
Tax dispute and network reshuffle
Despite announcing its Alicante expansion, Ryanair reiterated criticism of the 6.62 percent increase in airport charges imposed by Aena, Spain’s airport operator. The airline said the higher fees have “contributed to the loss of two million seats at regional airports.”
In recent months, Ryanair has scaled back operations in some Spanish regions, including the suspension of all flights to Asturias and the closure of its Santiago de Compostela base in Galicia. The carrier has also ended flights to Vigo and Tenerife North, and reduced capacity at Santander and Zaragoza airports.
However, the airline’s decision to expand in Alicante and major airports such as Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga, and Palma de Mallorca suggests that the tax increases have not halted its growth in higher-demand markets. Ryanair confirmed plans to add 600,000 more seats across its Spanish network during the winter period.
Ryanair currently operates one of the largest flight networks in Europe, carrying over 180 million passengers annually. Spain remains one of its top markets by volume, supported by strong leisure demand and year-round tourism.
The new Alicante routes and updated winter schedule are now available on Ryanair’s official website. One-way fares start at €21.99 for travel between November 2025 and March 2026.
