Ryanair has announced its largest-ever winter schedule from Kraków. The airline will operate 67 routes, base 16 aircraft at the airport, and launch four new destinations during the Winter 2026 season, representing a major investment in the Polish market that will strengthen Kraków’s position as its largest base in Central and Eastern Europe.
The carrier will add new services to Budapest, Dubrovnik, Rabat and Venice, while increasing frequencies on more than 30 existing routes, including Barcelona, Bari, Málaga and Valencia.
Four New Routes Added
Compared with Winter 2025, Ryanair will increase to a base of 16 aircraft at Kraków Airport. The airline said the expansion is part of a wider investment that is approximately valued at $1.6 billion.
The additional aircraft will support the launch of four new routes, allowing the airline to also increase capacity across several popular European destinations. Ryanair states that the schedule will provide more travel options to passengers during the winter season alongside improving connectivity from southern Poland.
Continued Growth in Kraków
According to Ryanair, its largest operational base in Central and Eastern Europe remains Kraków, citing figures of more than hald of passenger traffic at Kraków Airport last year.
The expansion follows the opening of Ryanair’s training and simulator centre in Kraków in 2025; the €130 million facility is described as the only aviation training centre in Central and Eastern Europe that also supports pilot and cabin crew training operations.
Jobs and Regional Connectivity
Over 600 direct jobs for pilots and cabin crew are proposed to be supported with Ryanair’s Kraków Programme. The airline highlighted the wider economic benefits as well, with an increase in tourism and aviation activity across the Małopolska region.
Michał Kaczmarzyk, CEO of Buzz (Ryanair Group), states:
“As Poland’s No.1 airline, Ryanair is proud to announce our record Kraków Winter 2026 schedule. This winter, we will base 16 aircraft in Kraków – a $1.6bn investment and an increase of 3 aircraft year-on-year. We will operate 67 routes, including 4 new routes to Budapest, Dubrovnik, Rabat and Venice, alongside increased frequencies on over 30 popular routes.”
The announcement comes as airlines across Europe continue to expand capacity ahead of the Winter 2026 season in response to sustained travel demand and growing competition across key leisure markets.
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