Ryanair cuts: Malaga passengers face another travel blow

Ryanair is cutting another flight connection used by travellers heading to and from Malaga, with a direct route to Brussels being dropped for the winter 2026/27 season.

The decision comes as the Irish low-cost airline reduces its Belgian flight programme following a planned increase in the country’s aviation tax. For Costa del Sol residents, holidaymakers and people visiting family in Belgium, the change means checking alternative flights before making travel plans.

Why Ryanair is cutting flights to Brussels

Ryanair announced on October 20 that it would remove 20 routes from its winter schedule in Belgium, cutting around 1.1 million seats and withdrawing six aircraft from its Brussels operations. The airline blames the Belgian government’s decision to increase its aviation tax from €2 to €7 per departing passenger in January 2027. Ryanair argues that higher costs will make Belgium less competitive with other European countries.

The cuts affect Brussels Airport, also known as Zaventem, and Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Malaga is among the Spanish destinations affected, with the connection between Malaga and Brussels-Zaventem being withdrawn for winter 2026/27. Other Spanish cities affected by the wider Belgian cuts include Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, while Asturias is affected by changes at Charleroi.

What does this mean for Malaga passengers?

Travellers who regularly use the Malaga-Brussels connection will need to check which alternatives suit their dates and departure airport. Brussels Airport and Charleroi are separate airports, so passengers should check the exact airport shown on their booking rather than assuming every Brussels service is affected. The cancellation of the Zaventem route does not mean Ryanair is abandoning all flights between Malaga and Belgium.

The change also comes shortly after Ryanair announced six new routes from Malaga for winter 2026/27, taking its published winter network to 82 routes. That announcement included more than 3.4 million seats across the airline’s Malaga programme, showing how route growth and individual cancellations can happen at the same time.

Could another airline fill the gap?

There is some potentially better news for passengers. Brussels Airlines has announced plans to increase capacity on routes to Malaga, according to Spanish media reports, although this does not necessarily mean every cancelled Ryanair flight will have a direct replacement at the same time or price. Passengers should compare departure airports, flight times, baggage charges and onward transport costs before booking an alternative. A cheaper ticket can work out more expensive if it involves a longer journey or additional transfers.

Ryanair’s wider route cuts continue

The Belgian announcement follows other changes to Ryanair’s European network. EWN recently reported that the airline plans to end its Bremen Airport operations in April 2027, affecting direct connections with Malaga, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca. That decision was linked to operating costs in Germany, rather than the Belgian aviation tax dispute. The two announcements show why passengers should check individual routes and dates instead of assuming that a destination will disappear from Ryanair’s network altogether.

For now, anyone planning a winter trip between the Costa del Sol and Brussels should check the latest schedules directly with airlines before booking accommodation or other transport. Passengers who already have a booking should monitor messages from their airline and follow the instructions provided if their flight is cancelled.