Loss of Approximately 850,000 Passengers Possible at Billund Airport Following Ryanair's Departure
Air Travel Alert: Ryanair's Exit Affects Billund Airport
Beginning in March 2025, Billund Airport, located in central Jutland, Denmark, has seen a steep decline in passenger numbers due to budget airline Ryanair's decision to cease operations at the airport.
According to CEO Jan Hessellund, the airline's departure is expected to result in a loss of approximately 850,000 passengers in 2025 alone. This translates to a significant reduction of about 25-30% in annual passenger numbers.
In April 2025, the impact of Ryanair's exit was evident, with a 31.4% drop in passenger numbers compared to the same month the previous year. The airport experienced nearly 100,000 fewer travelers last April.
However, Billund Airport is not sitting idly by. Efforts are underway to compensate for the lost traffic, with new routes and services being introduced by airlines such as British Airways, Wizz Air, Air Greenland, SAS, Norwegian, and Vueling.
While the absence of Ryanair will continue to be felt in 2026, the specific number of passengers expected to be lost in that year has yet to be determined. However, the airport is focusing on adding new routes and capacity for the summer of 2026 to mitigate the impact.
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, is the third-largest carrier at Denmark's largest airport, Copenhagen, behind SAS and Norwegian. Its withdrawal marks a significant shift in the local air travel landscape.
The decision to exit was made by Ryanair in February, citing Denmark's new air travel tax as the reason for the closure of a two-aircraft base at Billund, leading to the discontinuation of all 24 of its services from the airport. The air travel tax is being phased in gradually over the next five years, adding an initial cost of up to 50 kroner on ticket prices for all departures from Denmark.
The full impact of Ryanair's exit from Billund Airport is still unfolding, but it is clear that travelers will experience changes in their options for flying in and out of the airport. Billund Airport, in turn, will need to adapt and innovate to regain lost traffic and maintain its position as a key hub for air travel in Denmark.
- In an attempt to offset the loss of passengers due to Ryanair's exit, Billund Airport is planning to introduce new art installations as part of its lifestyle transformation, aiming to create a more appealing atmosphere for travelers.
- The departure of Ryanair has caused a ripple effect in the local news, with many articles discussing the impact on the art community at Billund Airport, known for its unique airport art exhibitions.
- As space in the aviation industry becomes more competitive, news outlets are closely monitoring the Travel section to see how Billund Airport adapts and recovers from the significant loss of passengers due to Ryanair's departure.
