Ryanair announced that it will launch five winter routes in 2026. The company will operate 43 routes across Sweden and deploy another aircraft at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Five New Routes in Sweden
Ryanair will launch new routes from Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) to Rabat, Warsaw and Wrocław. Additionally, Ryanair will launch a route from Gothenburg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Budapest. The fifth route will connect Malmö Airport (MMX) with London.
The airline plans to add one Boeing 737 aircraft at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, bringing the total number of Ryanair aircraft based in Sweden to eight. Ryanair stated that its total investment in Sweden has reached $800 million.
The company expects to transport approximately 4.6 million passengers annually in Sweden and predicts that passenger traffic will increase by 16%. These data are self-estimated by Ryanair.
Ryanair pointed out that since the Swedish government abolished the aviation tax in July 2025, its business expansion in Sweden has accelerated significantly. Since then, the company has added three based aircraft and provided services for an additional 760,000 passengers across six airports in Sweden. This winter flight plan continues the previous growth trend.
Rising Airport Charges May Affect Future Growth
Despite the announcement of new routes, Ryanair warns that the further expansion of the Swedish market remains uncertain. The airline is concerned about airport charges and the planned increase in the Security Fee.
According to Ryanair, Swedavia’s airport charges have increased by 22% since the abolition of the aviation tax. The company also stated that the Security Fee is expected to rise by 67% from March 2027. Several major airports in Sweden, including Stockholm Arlanda Airport and Gothenburg Landvetter Airport, are operated by Swedavia.
Ryanair has requested that the Swedish government permanently abolish the Security Fee and restore Swedavia’s airport charges to 2024 levels. The airline believes that higher operating costs may lead to the transfer of its aircraft, routes and jobs to other European countries in the future.
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said:
“Lower aviation taxes and lower airport costs work – they deliver more traffic, more tourism and more jobs.”
The airline hopes to double the annual passenger volume in Sweden to 8 million by 2030. At the same time, the company plans to add five more based aircraft, but these plans depend on the operating costs of the airports.
Do you think higher airport charges will affect the airline’s future plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
