In a surprising turn of events, the Irish airline Ryanair is ending all operations in Billund Lufthavn tonight, marking a significant shift for Denmark’s second-busiest international airport. The decision was first made public in a press release three months ago, but communication between the airline and the airport has been described as unusual.
“It has been a strange process. Unfortunately, both we and the passengers had to learn about this through the press before we received any direct communication from Ryanair. That has been a bit difficult to navigate,”
says Jesper Klausholm, Communications Director at Billund Lufthavn.
Ryanair’s departure and its impact
For Billund Lufthavn—home to 120 flight routes until now—Ryanair’s exit means losing 24 routes at once. According to Klausholm, that translates to about 1.1 million passengers they will no longer see in 2025. Although the airport managed to secure new carriers and increased capacity to cover the equivalent of 200,000 of those lost seats, the gap remains considerable.
A costly setback for the airport
Industry observers highlight that the financial toll on Billund Lufthavn will be substantial. Beyond the direct fees that Ryanair pays, the airport will lose additional revenue from parking, retail, and dining—critical income streams that depend heavily on passenger foot traffic.
“It’s not only the airport charges that matter but also the so-called non-aeronautical revenues, such as parking fees and income from restaurants and shops. These actually represent a larger share than what Ryanair pays to operate,”
says Ole Kirchert Christensen, Editor of the aviation news site check-in.dk.
Passengers lament the closure
Several travelers have expressed disappointment at losing popular Ryanair routes. One frequent flyer to London noted how the closure affects her plans:
“I am disappointed that the route is closing,”
says a passenger who flew to London last Friday.
Uncertainty over job security
Although Billund Lufthavn’s leadership acknowledges the potential impact of losing over one million passengers, any direct link to layoffs among airport employees remains unclear. With about three million travelers still expected this year and around 100 direct routes continuing to operate, the airport believes it can maintain most of its workforce—at least in the short term.
“It’s too early to say anything concrete about staff reductions. We are heading into our peak season and still need a lot of hands. We are also working to secure additional routes for next winter,”
Klausholm explains.
A long road to recovery
Replacing Ryanair’s extensive coverage will take time. Even as Billund Lufthavn identifies new airlines to fill route gaps, restoring full capacity will likely take years. For now, the airport’s focus remains on expanding its offerings for the many (Jylland) and (Fyn) residents who rely on direct flights.
