Ryanair is set to make further changes to its Irish schedule for summer 2026, with two routes to a popular Baltic destination among the latest cuts.
Kaunas in Lithuania (Image: Getty Images)
Holidaymakers planning a summer 2026 getaway may want to double check their options. Another shake up is underway at Ryanair, as it’s set to scrap two routes linking Ireland with a popular Baltic destination.
The budget airline is in the middle of a wider European network review – and two popular connections between Ireland and Lithuania are among the latest cuts.
In the coming weeks, Ryanair will discontinue its service between Dublin and Palanga, as well as its route linking Belfast and Kaunas.
Palanga is a scenic seaside resort town known for its 18km stretch of sandy coastline and has become a popular choice for travellers looking for something different than a typical Mediterranean getaway.
Meanwhile, Kaunas is one of Lithuania’s largest cities and a popular weekend city break destination.
Lithuania’s airport operator confirmed the services will stop in April ahead of the peak summer season. Spokesperson for Lithuanian Airports Vitalija Roce told LRT: “As Ryanair has communicated, it is carrying out a network review and reassessing flights from European airports, which affects both regional and large airports. There have been quite a few changes at various European airports.”
There was some reassurance for travellers as she added: “However, they are increasing frequencies on other routes from Vilnius, Kaunas and Palanga.”
File photo of a Ryanair plane(Image: Getty Images)
Dublin will remain connected to Lithuania through direct services to Kaunas and Vilnius, but once the Kaunas – Belfast route ends, there will be no direct flights between Lithuania and Belfast.
Ryanair has been trimming routes across Europe in response to rising airport charges, aviation taxes and operating costs. It also recently confirmed to Cork Beo that its year round services to Poznan and Gdansk in Poland will be removed from Cork Airport’s schedule.
Flights for both cities currently run twice a week and will continue to do so until their final services on March 26 and March 28 respectively.
It comes after Ryanair shifted one of the company’s four aircraft in Cork to Shannon for the winter season.
Speaking last July, Michael O’Leary said he hopes to bring a fourth aircraft back to Cork for summer 2026. He said: “Shannon Airport has lower costs than Cork. I think we’ll be able to put the fourth aircraft back into Cork next summer. Both Shannon Airport and Cork Airport have grown strongly in the last year or two.”
Meanwhile, flights to Poznan are scheduled to start in Shannon Airport on March 31 , just days after the routes’ last flight in Cork.
Those looking to fly direct to Gdansk will have to book from Dublin, where there are currently five services a week to the Polish city.
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