Ryanair says it has cut nearly one in 10 planned summer flights from one airport
Ryanair have begun cancelling flights(Image: Getty Images)
Ryanair has announced it has slashed nearly one in 10 scheduled summer 2026 flights from Dublin Airport.
Yet, while travel industry experts are forecasting travel disruption in the months ahead owing to fuel shortages, the airline has pointed the finger at the government for not abolishing the Dublin Airport passenger cap as the reason behind their flight reductions.
The carrier stated it had not reduced flights or timetables in reaction to the Middle East crisis, which has triggered concerns about fuel shortages this summer, but rather because of the government’s refusal to remove the 32 million annual passenger limit at Dublin airport.
Read More: Galway city’s newest megastore opening next week
Read More: Galway West by-election ‘clear winner’ but three dark horses could steal seat
According to the Irish Times, data from aviation industry analytics firm OAG showed Ryanair trimmed planned summer flights from Irish airports by approximately 4,500, bringing the total to 84,600, between January and this month.
Ryanair confirmed they had initially intended to increase traffic at Dublin Airport by 10 per cent this summer, but abandoned those plans “due to the continuing failure of the Government to scrap the Dublin traffic cap”, reports RSVP Live.
Addressing the cutback, they said: “We cannot invest in growth at Dublin until this cap is abolished and the DAA extends its growth incentive schemes.”
They went on to clarify they had not reduced flights or timetables in response to the Middle East crisis, stating: “But we continue to monitor the situation closely and hope that the Hormuz Straits will reopen soon.”
This comes as the airline revealed a significant change to their baggage drop and check-in procedures, which means that from Tuesday, November 10 2026, check-in and bag drop facilities at all its airports will close 60 minutes before scheduled departure. At present, both close 40 minutes in advance.
Ryanair has stated this adjustment will afford passengers additional time to navigate airport security and passport queues, reducing the ‘very small number’ of travellers who currently miss their flights because they become delayed in these queues.
Additional self-service bag-drop kiosks will also be rolled out across the network, with over 95% of airports having these kiosks by October. They are fully integrated with the Ryanair app, enabling passengers to check in bags and print bag tags, which accelerates bag drop and cuts down waiting times.
This latest enhancement will give the 20% of Ryanair customers who wish to check in a bag slightly more time to pass through airport security and passport queues and reach their departure gate before boarding commences.
The remaining 80% of travellers who don’t check in bags are unaffected and will continue to check in online before they arrive at the airport and proceed straight to their departure gate upon arrival.
Ryanair CMO, Dara Brady, said: “From Tues 10 Nov next, Ryanair customers will see airport check-in and bag drops close 60 minutes before scheduled departure, instead of today’s 40 minutes. This will allow these 20% of our customers (who check in a bag) more time to clear through airport security and passport queues, and get to their departure gate on-time, especially during busy travel periods when some of these airport queues can be longer.
“We are also installing self-service kiosks at over 95% of Ryanair airports before October. This means a quicker bag-drop service, less queuing at airport desks, and an even more punctual service for the 20% of our customers who still wish to check-in a bag, while the 80% (who don’t check-in a bag) will be unaffected by this small 20 minute change, as they will continue to check-in online before they arrive at the departure airport and they go straight through airport security to their departure gate.”
The budget carrier has also recently introduced a change to marginally enlarge the complimentary cabin bag allowance. Travellers can now bring a personal item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20cm, representing a 20% increase from the former 40 x 20 x 25cm restriction.