Ryanair 'rescues' thousands of Brits going to Spain after easyJet cancels 2027 flights
Ryanair has offered to 'rescue' holidaymakers affected by easyJet's decision to cancel several UK routes.
Yesterday (19 August), easyJet announced that it was scrapping all flights to and from Leeds-Bradford Airport in January 2027.
The airline currently flies to European destinations such as Barcelona, Paris, Belfast, Malaga, Majorca and Geneva from the airport, which handles just over four million passengers every year.
A statement from the airline said the move was part of a plan to maintain and develop routes which are the 'most popular' with customers.
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Flights scheduled from now until the start of next year are said to be operating as planned.
Ryanair has now decided to capitalise on easyJet's decision, with the rival budget airline announcing £29.99 'rescue' flights for passengers whose holidays have been impacted by the decision.
Announcing the plans in a press release today (20 August), Ryanair said the 'rescue fares' would apply to the airline's route between Leeds-Bradford and the Spanish city of Malaga and would be available to book from now until the end of February via the Ryanair app and website.
Claiming that easyJet had 'abandoned' its customers in a cheeky statement, Ryanair Director of Comms Jade Kirwan said: "While easyJet abandons Leeds-Bradford, cutting its full schedule from 5 January 2027, Ryanair is saving the day with rescue fares from just £29.99 for affected passengers – particularly those booked to fly to Malaga."
For anyone who isn't travelling to Malaga or doesn't fancy flying with Ryanair, easyJet has confirmed that passengers affected by the cuts would be offered either flights from an alternative airport or a refund.
"Following a review of our routes from Leeds Bradford Airport, we have made the decision to no longer operate flights from the airport after 5 January," a spokesperson for easyJet previously told the BBC.
"Our focus is on maintaining and developing routes which prove most popular with customers."
The statement said they were 'very sorry for the inconvenience caused' by the decision, adding: “We value the relationship we have built with Leeds Bradford Airport and we always keep options for our network under review, with the aim of providing more choice and connectivity where we see demand.”
Which airlines fly to and from Leeds-Bradford Airport?
Following the announcement of easyJet to cease operations at LBA, which serves passengers across Yorkshire, airlines such as Jet2, Aer Lingus, TUI and Wizz are still based at the airport.
These airlines offer flights to various destinations across Europe - including summer holiday hotspots such as Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Portugal and Turkey - as well as sunny destinations such as Egypt and Morocco.
Additionally, there are also flights to popular city break destinations such as Prague, Budapest and Krakow.
The news follows a long summer of possible travel disruption faced by Brits, as holidaymakers have faced disruption due to the US attacks on Iran as well as deadly wildfires which ravaged Spain and France during heatwaves earlier this year.
Brenna Cooper