Ryanair has announced a major expansion of its flights from Warsaw and the addition of new routes in Central Europe. The airline will increase its fleet, launch new routes, and significantly boost passenger traffic as early as 2026. Find out which flights will be added and how the map of budget travel in Europe will change

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Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair has announced one of the largest expansions of its presence in Poland in recent years. The company plans to significantly increase the number of flights from Warsaw’s two main airports—Modlin and Chopin—by adding new routes to popular cities in Italy, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, and other European countries.

At the same time, Ryanair continues to expand its network in Bratislava, further strengthening Central Europe’s role as one of the key regions for budget air travel. According to the airline, passenger traffic in Warsaw alone is expected to grow to over 4 million passengers per year.

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Ryanair is sharply increasing the number of flights from Warsaw in 2026

Ryanair has announced a major expansion of its 2026 winter schedule for Warsaw. The biggest changes will affect Modlin Airport, which remains the low-cost carrier’s main hub in the Polish capital. The company will station two more aircraft there, increasing its fleet to eight planes. The total investment in the hub will reach approximately $800 million.

As a result, Ryanair will operate 30 routes from Modlin, including five new destinations:

- Bratislava

- Bristol

- Manchester

- Shannon

- Zagreb

The projected growth in passenger traffic is particularly significant. While the airline previously carried about 1.5 million passengers per year through Modlin, this figure is expected to exceed 3.2 million following the expansion. In fact, Ryanair plans to more than double its traffic volume through this airport.

At the same time, the company is actively expanding its presence at Chopin Airport—the main air gateway to the Polish capital. Here, Ryanair’s network will expand to 16 routes, and passenger traffic is expected to grow by more than 50%—to 800,000 people per year.

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What new routes is Ryanair launching from Warsaw?

Expanding its route network has become one of the key elements of Ryanair’s new strategy in the Polish capital. The airline is not only increasing the number of flights on popular routes but also opening new routes to cities that enjoy steady demand among tourists and business travelers. Most of the new routes will be at Warsaw-Modlin Airport.

Among the new destinations from Modlin:

- Alghero, Italy (Sardinia)

- Bratislava, Slovakia

- Bristol, United Kingdom

- Lamezia Terme, Italy

- Manchester, United Kingdom

- Palermo, Italy (the island of Sicily)

- Shannon, Ireland

- Zagreb, Croatia

The expansion of routes to Italy is particularly notable. Several new flights are opening up access to the country’s popular resort regions—Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria.

Ryanair is also continuing to actively develop connections between Poland and the United Kingdom, where demand for flights traditionally remains among the highest in the company’s network.

New flights will also be introduced at Warsaw-Chopin Airport. Passengers will be able to fly directly to the following cities:

- Leeds, United Kingdom

- Porto, Portugal

- Seville, Spain

As a result, Ryanair’s network from Warsaw will become even more extensive, covering most of the popular tourist regions of Southern and Western Europe. For travelers, this means more options for direct, non-stop flights and potentially lower prices due to increased competition among carriers.

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Ryanair launches new flights to Bratislava

Alongside its expansion in Poland, Ryanair continues to grow its presence in the Slovak capital. In the winter season of 2026, the airline will add three new routes from Bratislava at once, expanding the choice of destinations for passengers traveling through Central Europe.

The new destinations will be:

- Bari, Italy

- Milan-Malpensa, Italy

- Warsaw-Modlin, Poland

The launch of the flight between Bratislava and Warsaw is particularly noteworthy. The new route will enable quick travel between the two Central European capitals and provide additional opportunities for connecting to Ryanair’s extensive network of flights from both cities.

The expansion of the route network also confirms Bratislava’s growing role as one of the region’s key hubs for low-cost air travel. Thanks to its proximity to Vienna, located less than 60 kilometers away, Bratislava Airport has long been popular among travelers seeking cheaper alternatives to major international hubs.

According to Ryanair, the new routes are expected to strengthen the company’s position in the Slovak market and increase the number of affordable options for low-cost travel across Europe.

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Why is Warsaw strengthening its position as one of Central Europe’s major aviation hubs?

In recent years, Warsaw has gradually become one of the key aviation hubs in Central Europe. This is facilitated by the combination of two major airports—Frederic Chopin International Airport and Warsaw-Modlin Airport, which specializes primarily in low-cost carriers.

Ryanair’s expansion is just part of a larger trend. Poland remains one of the region’s largest aviation markets, and Warsaw serves as a vital transportation hub connecting Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. As a result, passengers have access to hundreds of direct flights both within the European Union and beyond.

The significant increase in the number of flights also intensifies competition among airlines. For passengers, this often means a wider selection of routes, more convenient connections, and more attractive ticket prices.

This is particularly noticeable on popular routes to Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal, where low-cost carriers actively compete with traditional airlines.

Against this backdrop, Warsaw continues to strengthen its status as one of Central Europe’s most important transportation hubs, and Ryanair’s new investments are only accelerating this process.

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What should you know before booking Ryanair tickets?

Despite its reputation as one of Europe’s cheapest carriers, the final cost of a trip with Ryanair can differ significantly from the price shown during the ticket search. Before booking, you should carefully review the company’s rules and additional services.

Ryanair’s lowest fares typically include only a small personal bag that must fit under the seat in front of you. You’ll have to pay extra for priority boarding, large carry-on luggage, checked baggage, seat selection, or booking changes.

Passengers should also pay attention to arrival airports. Ryanair often uses airports located dozens of kilometers from the city center rather than the main airports of major cities. For example, flights may arrive at airports that are actually located in a different town, so transfer costs should be factored in ahead of time.

Another feature of this low-cost carrier is strict baggage size restrictions. If a bag exceeds the allowed dimensions, passengers may be required to pay an additional fee directly at the airport, where rates are usually significantly higher than when booking online.

To find the best deals, experts recommend booking tickets several weeks or months before departure and keeping an eye on the airline’s seasonal sales. This is especially true for popular tourist destinations in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, where demand traditionally spikes in the summer and during holidays.

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We remind you! Popular European tourist destinations are becoming increasingly crowded, so travelers are looking for alternatives without the crowds. In 2026, attention is turning to countries that remain off the beaten path but offer unique experiences, affordable prices, and an authentic atmosphere. Read more about 5 European countries that are rarely visited by tourists.

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