Quick Read
- Ryanair is revising its Zagreb Airport network for Summer 2026.
- Frequencies will increase on routes to Sofia, Rome, London Stansted, Alicante, and Manchester.
- Routes to Marseille, Pisa, and Frankfurt-Hahn will not return.
- Basel services are temporarily suspended due to airport maintenance.
- The changes occur as Ryanair’s Growth Incentive Model with Zagreb Airport nears its end.
- Overall, Ryanair plans a net increase in weekly flights from Zagreb for Summer 2026.
ZAGREB (Azat TV) – Ryanair is significantly revising its route network from Zagreb Airport for the Summer 2026 season, implementing frequency increases on several key routes while suspending or discontinuing others, a strategic move that reflects the airline’s evolving operational priorities as its Growth Incentive Model agreement with the Croatian capital’s airport enters its final year. These adjustments are expected to drive overall capacity growth, yet they signal a targeted reallocation of resources aimed at maximizing efficiency and profitability within Ryanair’s broader network.
Targeted Frequency Boosts and Temporary Adjustments
As part of its Summer 2026 schedule, Ryanair plans to temporarily boost frequencies on several routes from late April to late May 2026. Flights to Sofia, Bulgaria, will double from three to six weekly services, significantly enhancing connectivity. The popular Rome route will see an increase from six to nine weekly services, offering more flexibility for travelers. London Stansted, a crucial link, is slated to rise to nine weekly flights, with the potential for further expansion to up to 12 weekly services later in the season, according to reports from Travel Radar.
Additionally, services to Alicante, Spain, will increase to three weekly flights, while flights to Manchester, UK, will operate twice weekly. These targeted increases suggest a strong demand or strategic importance for these particular destinations within Ryanair’s Croatian operations.
However, not all routes are seeing an expansion. Services to Basel, Switzerland, will be temporarily suspended from mid-April to mid-May due to scheduled runway maintenance at the Swiss airport, necessitating a temporary reshaping of Zagreb Airport’s early peak season offerings. Dublin will maintain its current five weekly flights, rather than expanding to daily operations as previously considered. Malaga, Spain, will also remain at five weekly rotations, and Paphos, Cyprus, will operate four weekly flights in April and May before returning to five weekly from June.
Route Cancellations and Strategic Retraction
More significantly, Ryanair has confirmed that routes to Marseille, France; Pisa, Italy; and Frankfurt-Hahn, Germany, will not return for the Summer 2026 season. These cancellations represent a more permanent shift in Ryanair’s strategy from Zagreb, indicating a reassessment of the commercial viability or strategic fit of these specific services within its network.
The decision to discontinue these routes, alongside the nuanced adjustments to others, underscores Ryanair’s dynamic approach to route planning, which prioritizes performance and market conditions. The airline consistently evaluates its network to ensure optimal aircraft utilization and profitability across its extensive European operations.
Strategic Context and Future Capacity Outlook
These comprehensive changes are rooted in Ryanair’s overarching strategy to reallocate aircraft to stronger routes and airports that offer more favorable operating fees across its extensive network. The airline is currently in the final year of its Growth Incentive Model agreement with Zagreb Airport, an arrangement designed to support passenger growth. As this model approaches its conclusion, Ryanair appears to be recalibrating its presence to align with its long-term financial and operational objectives.
Despite the individual route adjustments and cancellations, Ryanair projects a net expansion in its overall capacity from Zagreb. The airline plans to add 12 weekly flights year-on-year in June, followed by an additional nine weekly flights in both July and August. This indicates that while some specific routes are being trimmed, the airline remains committed to growing its footprint at Zagreb Airport, albeit with a more focused and strategically optimized network.
Implications for Zagreb Airport and Travelers
The revisions by Ryanair will have direct implications for travelers using Zagreb Airport, offering increased options on popular routes but removing direct links to others. For Zagreb Airport, these changes highlight the evolving dynamics of its relationship with one of its major low-cost carriers. The conclusion of the Growth Incentive Model will likely prompt new negotiations or a re-evaluation of partnership terms, potentially influencing future route development and passenger traffic. The airport will need to adapt its strategy to maintain and attract airline partners in a competitive European aviation market.
Ryanair’s strategic recalibration at Zagreb Airport, balancing targeted route adjustments with overall capacity growth, suggests a shift towards a more mature and performance-driven phase of its operations in Croatia, moving beyond initial growth incentives to focus on sustainable profitability and market alignment.