Ryanair and the Italian market: strategies, routes and growth prospects
Avion Tourism Magazine met Fabrizio Francioni, Head of Communication Italy at Ryanair, to take stock of the activities carried out in 2025 and explore the carrier's strategies, objectives and prospects in the Italian market.
An opportunity to update passengers on the news that will characterize 2026, including network expansion, investments in airports, product innovation, technical training and initiatives dedicated to aeronautical sustainability.
Looking at the 2025 balance sheet, what were the main initiatives and innovations that Ryanair introduced in the Italian market, both in terms of expanding the offer and developing the network?
"The year opened with the abolition of the municipal surcharge in Abruzzo. It was (after Friuli Venezia Giulia and Calabria) the third Italian region to do so and Ryanair responded with a growth plan that included a second aircraft in Pescara, new routes and a growth of about 80% in traffic since the surcharge was abolished, exceeding 1 million passengers per year. Friuli Venezia Giulia saw the arrival of a second aircraft in summer 2025, also confirmed for the current winter. Also in this case, the growth has been exponential, as it was in Calabria, which has seen the largest summer season ever and an equally important ongoing winter season. But without forgetting the launch of new interesting routes, already operational for the current winter, such as those connecting Bratislava to Palermo, Lamezia, Naples and Bari".
Ryanair has already announced some new destinations planned for 2026 to and from Italy. From which airports will they operate, which destinations will they connect and are there any additional routes planned in addition to those already communicated?
"Looking ahead to 2026, the first major appointment will be the opening or, rather, the reopening of the Trapani-Marsala base, a direct consequence of the decision of the Sicily Region to abolish the municipal surcharge in the region, for airports with an annual traffic of less than 5 million passengers. It will start with one aircraft based, to reach two in summer 2026, with 11 new routes including those to Bratislava, Brussels, London, Stockholm, Pescara, but also a 10% increase in capacity to Rome and Milan. A new route to Tirana will depart from Pescara in summer 2026, which will offer an additional connection between the two shores of the Adriatic. And there will be other innovations on which we are still working".
Which are the Italian airports on which you expect to grow the most in 2026, both through the increase in frequencies and through the introduction of new national and international routes?
"First of all in those regions that have shown how the abolition of the municipal surcharge can really be a keystone to increase traffic, therefore tourism, employment and support, through aviation, the economic development of their respective territories. And then, in those airports capable of distinguishing themselves for operational efficiency and competitive conditions. All this, to continue to guarantee Italian and European passengers the most extensive network at the lowest fares".
Ryanair continues to play a leading role in the Italian market. What factors have contributed to the strengthening of your presence in the country and what will be the strategic priorities to maintain competitiveness and growth over the next two years?
"Today Ryanair is the leader in the Italian market, with 65 million passengers carried in 2025. Success is based on a winning strategy that leverages the lowest costs and significant financial strength. Italy competes in a European context where countries such as Sweden, Slovakia and Albania have decided to reduce the burden of taxation to make aviation an engine of growth. From this point of view, some Italian regions (Abruzzo, Calabria, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Sicily) have shown themselves to be equally far-sighted. It should be remembered that the municipal surcharge is a tax that today is levied on departing passengers and whose proceeds, although it is defined as municipal, only a small part end up in the coffers of local authorities, for the purposes for which it was originally introduced. We have made a very clear proposal to the government. If it were abolished in all Italian airports, Ryanair would be ready to introduce 40 new aircraft in Italy, for an investment of 4 billion dollars, 250 new routes, 20 million more passengers for 15,000 new jobs supported in Italy".
Italy is characterized by airports that are very different in size and potential. What criteria do you adopt in choosing the airports in which to invest and which airport partnerships do you consider most effective to support growth?
"As already mentioned, efficiency in operations and competitive rates make the difference. This is the case of Turin, where thanks to the work carried out together with SAGAT, a third aircraft has been positioned based, with new routes for the 2025 winter season, including the one to/from Liverpool, starting just this December and the increase in weekly frequencies on 16 routes, including London (Stansted), Madrid, Dublin and Porto".
What digital innovations have you introduced to improve the passenger experience and what developments are planned in 2026, in particular in the app, additional services and process automation?
"The most important innovation was undoubtedly the complete shift to digital boarding passes. From Wednesday 12 November, they must use the digital boarding pass generated in their 'myRyanair' app during check-in to board their Ryanair flight. This switch, already adopted by almost 80% of Ryanair's more than 207 million annual passengers, offers a faster, smarter and greener travel experience. It will also allow passengers to more easily access a number of innovative features available in the app, including the ability to order food and drinks directly from their phone and receive them first, real-time updates on boarding, gates and delays, live notifications from the Ryanair Operations Centre in the event of disruptions, information on alternative flight options in real time in case of need and the ability to have every travel document accessible, conveniently, in the App itself. Innovation is part of Ryanair's very identity and we will continue to work to ensure that technological development can offer an increasingly smart and comfortable travel experience for passengers".
Ryanair continues to invest in technical training through its Aircraft Engineering Academy. What opportunities does it offer today to young people who want to pursue a career in the aviation sector?
"We often talk about pilots or cabin crew. They are central figures, with increasingly important job opportunities and professional growth. Less often we talk about maintenance technicians, those who work, every day, with great professionalism and passion, for the safety and efficiency of our fleet. The Aircraft Engineering Academy in Azzano San Paolo, near Milan Bergamo Airport, is currently the main training center in Italy for aeronautical engineering, capable of offering a complete program to those who wish to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance technician. It ushered in the 2025-2026 academic year with a record number of more than 100 new students, who embarked on the first year of the basic training program. In total, more than 250 students train on a rotational basis at the centre. About 50 of them come from Calabria: half are currently attending courses, while the others are already working in the Bergamo hangars to gain experience in view of the start of operations in the two new hangars at Lamezia airport, as part of the broader investment that the company has already started in Calabria. The Aircraft Engineering Academy is a center of excellence in Italy, which demonstrates not only the central role of Bergamo and Lombardy in the development of aviation, but also represents a concrete opportunity for economic growth and job creation, including in Southern Italy".
Sustainability is a priority for Travellers and the industry. What initiatives is Ryanair taking to reduce its environmental impact, both on board the fleet and in ground operations?
"During the first half of fiscal 2026 we took delivery of 23 new Gamechanger aircraft, offering 4% more seats and consuming 16% less fuel and CO₂, and benefited from the installation of winglets on approximately 60% of our B737NG fleet, resulting in a 1.5% reduction in fuel consumption and 6% reduction in noise. Our 409 NGs will be winglet-equipped by the end of 2026, and we expect to have all 210 Gamechangers in the fleet well before the Summe '26. We recently agreed to purchase 30 CFM LEAP-1B backup engines (a $500 million investment) to improve our operational resilience. These latest-generation engines reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per seat by up to 20%. The Group's significant investment in new technologies, combined with ambitious commitments to SAF, positions Ryanair as one of Europe's most environmentally efficient airlines".
The group's activities generate an important spin-off for national tourism. What was the economic impact of Ryanair's operations in Italy in 2025 and what positive spillovers do you expect for 2026?
"Today Ryanair operates in Italy with 105 aircraft based, representing a total investment of 10.5 billion dollars. It is present in 32 airports including 20 bases, including the new Trapani-Marsala airport. In 2025, 65 million passengers will be transported in Italy. Ryanair's presence, through the aircraft based and the traffic generated, today supports, between direct and induced, over 50,000 jobs in Italy".
