Ryanair exits Bordeaux airport, affecting UK-France flights

Aug 07 2024 Travel trends

Ryanair has confirmed it will cease all operations to and from Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, including its three UK-France routes, by November 2024. The decision comes in response to increasing airport fees, prompting the airline to transfer its planes and staff to more cost-effective bases across Europe.

Ryanair exits Bordeaux due to fee hikes

The budget airline cited the upcoming fee hikes at Bordeaux-Mérignac as the primary reason for its departure. Ryanair had previously hinted at this move in March. The airport, which currently serves as one of Ryanair's four French bases, will no longer be part of its network.

Relocation and job losses

Ryanair plans to relocate the three aircraft currently stationed at Bordeaux to cheaper destinations within Europe. While flights scheduled to depart before November will proceed as planned, tickets for flights beyond this date have been removed from sale.

This shift will result in the cancellation of 40 routes to and from Bordeaux, affecting over 90 jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers based at the airport. Ryanair has been operational at Bordeaux for 14 years and established its base there five years ago.

Impact on UK-France routes

Ryanair currently offers direct flights from Bordeaux to London, Birmingham, and Manchester airports. Other destinations served from Bordeaux include Madrid, Rome, Marrakesh, and Valencia, with around 70 flights per week during peak season.

Ryanair's low-cost rival, EasyJet, also operates direct flights between the UK and Bordeaux. As of now, EasyJet has not commented on the fee increases and continues to offer flights on its website beyond November.

Bordeaux airport's strategy

An official spokesperson for Bordeaux airport expressed regret over Ryanair's departure but remained open to future collaboration. The airport aims to reduce its reliance on low-cost carriers, which currently account for 72% of its traffic. The goal is to diversify the airline portfolio and attract more premium carriers like Air France, KLM, and Lufthansa.

Despite the setback, Ryanair's commercial director, Jason McGuinness, emphasized that the loss of Bordeaux would benefit other airports across Europe. The company is already discussing relocation opportunities with its Bordeaux-based employees.

It remains unclear whether these planes, workers, and routes will be transferred to Ryanair’s other French bases or to different European airports. Ryanair operates other French bases in Marseille, Toulouse, and Paris-Beauvais.

Ryanair’s broader expansion plans

Ryanair has announced the creation of five new bases in Europe and North Africa over the summer of 2024, located in Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, Reggio Calabria, Tangier, and Trieste. None of these new bases are in France.

Ryanair’s exit from Bordeaux-Mérignac marks a significant shift for both the airline and the airport. While Ryanair adjusts its operations to manage rising costs, Bordeaux airport continues its strategy to attract a more premium set of airlines. Passengers traveling between the UK and Bordeaux will need to explore alternative options as the airport implements its new vision for the future.