Ryanair cuts winter flights as fuel costs rise on US-Iran war

Ryanair said Wednesday that it would cut its winter flight schedule in Europe as the Irish no-frills airline and other carriers face higher fuel costs caused by the US-Iran war, The Local Italy reported.

The decision has particular resonance for Lombardy, where Milan's airports of Malpensa and Bergamo serve as key hubs for budget travel, and where winter tourism to the Alps depends heavily on affordable connections from across Europe.

For Italy's regional airports, which have grown increasingly dependent on low-cost carriers, the cuts threaten to reduce connectivity just as the country's tourism sector seeks to extend its season beyond the summer months.

The airline's announcement comes amid a broader squeeze on European carriers, with fuel prices rising sharply following the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict. Ryanair, which has built its business model on low fares and high aircraft utilization, is particularly exposed to fuel cost volatility, according to The Local Italy's report.

Italy has been a major market for Ryanair, with the airline operating extensive networks from Milan Bergamo, one of its largest European bases, as well as from other secondary airports across the country. These airports have become important gateways for tourists visiting Lombardy's cities and lakes, as well as for the Alpine ski resorts that draw winter visitors from northern Europe.

The timing is awkward for Italy's tourism industry, which has been working to smooth out the seasonal peaks that concentrate visitors in summer and create pressure on cities like Venice and Florence while leaving other months quiet. Reduced winter capacity could undercut those efforts, particularly for mountain destinations that rely on international skiers.

For Lombardy's economy more broadly, the cuts are a reminder of the region's exposure to external shocks. The province of Bergamo, home to the airport that bears its name, has developed a significant logistics and tourism cluster around the facility, and any reduction in flight volumes has direct consequences for local employment and business activity.

The airline said the schedule reduction would apply across its European network, though it did not specify which routes or bases would be most affected, according to The Local Italy. Industry analysts will watch for further announcements as the winter season approaches, with fuel prices expected to remain elevated while the US-Iran conflict continues.