Ryanair snubs France in 29 new 2027 routes: UK regional airports and Morocco take center stage

Ryanair has unveiled the first wave of its 29 new summer 2027 routes, and France is notably absent. The selected destinations prioritize UK regional airports, Mediterranean cities, and Morocco, without touching the French network. This announcement arrives amid an economically tense period for the Irish airline, as jet fuel prices remain high and passengers are encouraged to book early to secure the best fares.

Ryanair’s 2027 summer network will feature over 2,500 routes serving 230 destinations across Europe and beyond. However, the first batch of new routes, now available for booking, includes none departing from or arriving in a French airport. Dara Brady, Ryanair’s Marketing Director, emphasized that « these 29 new routes offer budget-conscious customers their first chance to plan next year’s holidays ». More announcements will follow in the coming months, but France remains off the table—for now.

UK regional airports dominate the new routes

Of the 29 new routes, 11 connect UK regional airports, a strategic choice reflecting Ryanair’s ambition to expand its network from less congested hubs. Among the destinations, Leeds Bradford stands out with four new routes: Budapest, Tirana, Corfu, and Bari. Newcastle will welcome flights to Reus (Spain) and Rhodes (Greece), while Birmingham will link to Wrocław, East Midlands to Gdańsk, Norwich to Málaga, and Exeter and Bournemouth to Porto.

This focus on UK regional airports aligns with a cost-reduction and operational efficiency strategy. By avoiding major European hubs—often constrained by slot availability and congestion—Ryanair targets platforms like Oslo-Torp, Stockholm-Skavsta, and Warsaw-Modlin, which offer tariff and logistical advantages.

Italy, Morocco, and Albania in Ryanair’s sights

Italy is among the most represented countries in this first wave. Bari will connect to Friedrichshafen, Leeds Bradford, and Oslo-Torp, while Palermo will serve Marrakech and Tirana. Other new routes include Alicante-Naples, Athens-Turin, Catania-Wrocław, Tangier-Turin, and Brindisi-Warsaw. Morocco also receives significant attention with four new connections: Tangier-Alicante, Tangier-Kraków, Tangier-Turin, and Marrakech-Palermo. Albania, with Tirana, rounds out the list, appearing in two announcements—from Leeds Bradford and Palermo.

This selection of Mediterranean and Eastern European destinations aligns with Ryanair’s strategy to target high-demand, cost-effective markets. Morocco, in particular, is gaining traction among European travelers, drawn by competitive fares and diverse beach offerings. The Tirana routes reflect Albania’s growing appeal as a gateway to the Balkans.

France’s absence doesn’t rule out future inclusion

For French travelers, the absence of France in this first batch of new routes is immediate. None of the 29 routes depart from or arrive in a French airport. However, Ryanair has clarified that this first wave is just a preview of its 2027 summer program. More announcements will follow in the coming months, leaving room for doubt about potential French destinations.

It’s important to note that this absence doesn’t necessarily mean France will be entirely overlooked for summer 2027. Ryanair has indicated that additional routes will be revealed in the coming months, with precise frequencies and dates. French travelers should keep an eye on the airline’s next communications to see if France re-enters the network.

Early bookings in a challenging economic climate

Ryanair is pairing this launch with a push for early bookings to secure the best fares. This strategy comes amid less favorable economic conditions, marked by persistently high fuel costs. The airline has even lowered its traffic target for the fiscal year ending March 2027, from 216 to 214 million passengers, to mitigate exposure to fuel price fluctuations.

Ryanair has warned that sustained high oil prices could lead to a noticeable increase in short-haul European fares for summer 2027. This situation is pushing the airline to encourage early bookings while expanding its network in areas with controlled operational costs. UK regional airports and Mediterranean destinations like Morocco and Italy offer competitive advantages in terms of pricing and logistics.

French travelers hoping to see new routes to or from France will need to wait and monitor Ryanair’s next announcements. In the meantime, the first wave of new routes offers a diverse range of destinations, primarily focused on Europe and the Maghreb, with a strong presence of UK regional airports.

For those looking to plan ahead, it’s advisable to check Ryanair’s website and app regularly, where new routes will be progressively added. The airline has already announced that more openings will follow, leaving room for opportunities for French travelers in the coming months.