Local Leaders Sound Alarm Over Ryanair's Brive-Porto Route Closure
Ryanair's Brive-Porto route closure raises concerns of economic isolation in Lot.
- • Ryanair will close Brive-Porto route on October 26, 2025.
- • Closure attributed to increased airline ticket tax from €2.63 to €7.40.
- • Local officials warn of significant economic and social impacts.
- • Ryanair threatens to divert investments unless tax is abolished.
Key details
Ryanair has announced the closure of its Brive-Porto route, effective October 26, 2025, due to a substantial increase in the solidarity tax on airline tickets, from €2.63 to €7.40. This marks a significant reduction of 13% in the airline's capacity in France, which also includes cuts from Bergerac and Strasbourg. The decision has stirred deep concerns among local officials in the Lot region, who fear that the move could lead to economic downturn and increased isolation for the area.
Local authorities emphasize that this route is vital, as nearly 16,000 passengers utilized it during the winter season, linking the region culturally and economically to Porto. Frédéric Gineste, vice-president of the Department responsible for mobility, lamented, "It’s catastrophic," indicating that residents may face greater isolation amidst already limited transportation options.
Jean-Claude Fouché, president of the Cauvaldor community, voiced similar fears, particularly as the announcement coincides with the opening of a new drone technology center by Tekever in Cahors. Concerns extend to job losses, diminished regional appeal for businesses, and the sustainability of the airport itself, which relies heavily on local government funding. Ryanair's commercial director, Jason McGuinness, has warned that unless the tax is revoked, the airline's investments might shift towards more competitive European markets, suggesting significant economic implications for France if the situation persists.