Azores lose over 100,000 passengers after Ryanair's withdrawal. Tourism feels the reduction in air connections

Ryanair’s withdrawal from the Azores reduced the number of passengers arriving at the archipelago’s airports by 103,766 between April and August 2026, compared with the reference period. The low-cost airline operated its final flight to the Portuguese islands on March 28, after deciding to abandon all routes to the destination.

Ryanair cited the level of airport and environmental taxes imposed in Europe. The airline had operated flights to the Azores since 2015, and its withdrawal significantly reduced the options available to tourists, including those from the United Kingdom.

According to estimates, losses could reach approximately 391,000 overnight stays annually, amid a decline in visitor numbers. At present, Britons can fly directly to the Azores with British Airways from London Heathrow between April and October. At European level, the archipelago is served mainly by TAP and Azores Airlines, with connections to mainland Portugal.

Tourists without a direct flight must first travel to mainland Portugal and then continue from Lisbon or Faro. Known as the “Hawaii of Europe,” the region attracts visitors with its volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, lush vegetation and whale-watching excursions. Tourism is one of the archipelago’s main economic activities, and reduced accessibility risks amplifying the impact of Ryanair’s withdrawal.