Ryanair to Withdraw Aircraft from Fiumicino for Summer 2025 Amid Rising Costs
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Ryanair has announced that it will remove a based aircraft from Rome Fiumicino Airport for the Summer 2025 season and does not plan to expand traffic at Ciampino Airport. The airline attributes this decision to operational restrictions and rising costs at Rome’s airports, which it claims will impact connectivity and tourism during the 2025 Jubilee Year.
According to the airline, three main factors influenced this move:
- The daily flight cap at Ciampino
- Increases in airport fees
- The municipal tax hike at major Italian airports, set to take effect on April 1, 2025
Ryanair warns that airport fees at Ciampino will rise by 44% and at Fiumicino by 15% by 2028, affecting Rome’s competitiveness compared to other European capitals.
Flight Restrictions and Cost Increases
Ciampino currently has a daily limit of 65 flights, but Ryanair argues that the airport could handle twice as many operations without impacting infrastructure. The airline also criticizes the municipal tax increase, noting that regions such as Friuli Venezia Giulia, Calabria, and Abruzzo have eliminated this levy to boost connectivity.
Ryanair Calls for Regulatory Changes
The airline is urging the Italian government to modify its airport policies and calling on Aeroporti di Roma (AdR) to freeze fee increases until 2028. Ryanair claims that AdR received state financial support during the pandemic and is now trying to recover revenue through higher charges.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson warned that these measures could harm Italy’s competitiveness, leading Rome to lose air traffic to other European cities.
"Italy cannot afford to lose connectivity, traffic, and jobs to other EU countries that are cutting taxes to encourage growth," Wilson stated.
Potential Growth If Policy Reversal Occurs
Ryanair argues that if these measures are reversed, it could increase its investment in Italy, adding:
- 40 new aircraft
- 250 additional routes
- 1,500 new jobs
However, the airline warns that if the current policies remain unchanged, Rome’s air connectivity will suffer in a critical year for tourism.
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