Ryanair will base a 12th aircraft at Budapest Airport for its winter 2026 schedule, increasing the carrier’s network at the Hungarian capital to 54 routes. The programme includes eight new connections to East Midlands, Gdańsk, Gothenburg, Kraków, Lamezia, Turin, Venice and Warsaw.
Eight routes added to the Budapest programme
The airline said the expanded operation is expected to help raise its annual passenger traffic in Hungary by 6% to 6 million. Ryanair put the investment represented by its Budapest-based fleet at USD 1.2 bln and said its Hungarian operations support more than 4,800 jobs, including over 360 pilot and cabin crew positions.
| Carrier | Origin | Destination | Start period | Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | Budapest | East Midlands | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Gdańsk | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Gothenburg | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Kraków | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Lamezia | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Turin | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Venice | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Ryanair | Budapest | Warsaw | Winter 2026 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
The eight additions span domestic and international markets, with East Midlands providing a new UK connection and the other destinations extending Budapest’s links across Europe. Ryanair has not disclosed the weekly frequency or aircraft type for the individual routes in the announcement.
“Ryanair is delighted to continue growing in Hungary with a 12th based aircraft at Budapest for Winter 2026, where we will operate 54 routes, including 8 exciting new routes to East Midlands, Gdansk, Gothenburg, Krakow, Lamezia, Turin, Venice, Warsaw.”
The statement was made by Dara Brady, Ryanair’s chief marketing officer. The carrier said the additional aircraft would support year-round traffic and tourism, alongside the 4,800-plus jobs associated with its Hungarian operation.
Airline links growth to tax and airport charges
Ryanair attributed the expansion partly to Hungary’s abolition of aviation taxes in January 2025. It said passenger traffic in the country had increased by 17% since the tax was removed, while warning that higher costs at Budapest Airport could constrain future growth.
According to the airline, charges at Budapest Airport have risen by more than 10% since 2024. Ryanair called on the Hungarian government, which it identified as Budapest Airport’s majority owner, to reduce those charges and improve the airport’s competitiveness against lower-cost airports elsewhere in Central and Eastern Europe.
Subject to improved competitiveness, Ryanair said it was prepared to increase its annual traffic in Hungary by more than 65% to over 10 million passengers. That potential expansion could involve four additional aircraft and 120 more jobs across Budapest, Balaton and Debrecen. The carrier valued the potential fleet investment at USD 1.6 bln.
- Winter 2026: 54 Ryanair routes from Budapest, including eight new connections.
- Fleet: a 12th aircraft to be based at Budapest Airport.
- Traffic outlook: annual Hungarian passenger numbers expected to reach 6 million, subject to the airline’s stated assumptions.
- Cost warning: Ryanair said Budapest Airport charges had increased by more than 10% since 2024.
