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Bergerac Airport at Risk of Closure as Ryanair Plans to Pull Flights — So, What’s Behind the Exit?
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport in southwestern France is on the brink of a major crisis. Its largest airline partner, Ryanair, has announced plans to discontinue all flights to and from the airport starting in October 2025. If the move goes ahead, officials warn that the airport may be forced to shut down completely, due to its overwhelming reliance on the low-cost airline.
Why Is This Happening?
The root cause lies in a controversial tax hike introduced by the French government earlier this year. As part of its new environmental strategy, France increased its "solidarity" air travel tax by 180%, raising the per-passenger fee from €2.63 to €7.40 on flights within the European Union. This steep rise applies to all airlines operating short- and medium-haul routes — including Ryanair, which runs a significant number of regional services across France.
Ryanair has described the new tax as “excessive” and “damaging to regional connectivity,” claiming it makes many of its routes financially unviable, especially those serving smaller airports like Bergerac. The airline argues that the tax unfairly punishes budget carriers and passengers, while doing little to actually reduce emissions, since the most polluting long-haul and connecting flights are often exempt.
The Impact of Ryanair’s Exit
Ryanair has already announced that it will cut 25 routes across France and remove 750,000 seats from its upcoming winter schedule. Alongside Bergerac, two other regional airports — Brive and Strasbourg — will also lose all Ryanair service. For Bergerac, this could mean a loss of approximately 18,000 passengers annually, around 7% of its total traffic.
(©JL / Réussir le Périgord)
Christophe Fauvel, President of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce, has warned that the airport’s existence is now under threat. "Without Ryanair, we risk losing the majority of our international traffic. There simply aren’t enough other airlines operating here to keep the airport sustainable," he said.
The consequences extend beyond air travel. The surrounding region — known for its tourism, vineyards, and scenic countryside — could suffer economically, with fewer visitors, fewer jobs, and decreased investment. Local businesses that depend on international tourists, particularly from the UK and Ireland, may take a heavy hit.
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Ryanair’s Message to the Government
Ryanair has made it clear: if the French government reverses or reduces the tax increase, the airline is prepared to reinvest significantly in France. Company executives have mentioned plans to double passenger traffic, create 750 jobs, and even base more aircraft in the country — but only if the tax burden is reconsidered.
As it stands, however, there is no indication that the French authorities will change course. The government maintains that the tax supports global health and environmental initiatives, despite mounting pressure from airports, airlines, and some regional leaders.
In Summary:
- Bergerac Airport could close if Ryanair withdraws as planned in October 2025.
- Ryanair’s decision is driven by France’s sharp increase in flight taxes, which it claims make smaller regional routes unprofitable.
- The loss would cut ~18,000 passengers a year and severely affect local tourism and jobs.
- Ryanair says it could return — but only if the tax policy is revised.
Unless French lawmakers reconsider their stance, Bergerac — like other regional airports — could soon become another casualty of rising operational costs and strained aviation policy.
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