The south of Gran Canaria is consolidating its position as one of the preferred destinations in the reconfiguration of the German air market for the remainder of 2025. While Ryanair realigns its network in Germany with a clear commitment to regional airports, the Canary Island is adding new flights from strategic locations in the country, consolidating its role as the main gateway for tourism from northern and central Europe to the Atlantic. New: Starting October 26, 2025, Wizz Air will operate a new direct route from Gran Canaria Airport to Budapest, with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This connection strengthens the island's connectivity with Central and Eastern Europe, offering more options to travelers seeking accessible and affordable destinations.
In the case of Ryanair, the Irish airline, which has historically dominated low-cost aviation in Germany, is announcing a significant shift in focus: it will reduce capacity at major hubs such as Berlin Brandenburg—where it will implement a 17% seat cut—Hamburg, and Cologne/Bonn, to focus on regional airports with lower operating costs, such as Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Bremen, Lübeck, Münster, and Weeze.
This strategic shift involves the introduction of 14 new routes and the addition of approximately 800.000 additional seats from these secondary airports, which will partially offset the cuts in major urban markets. Particularly noteworthy for Gran Canaria are the direct flights Ryanair will launch from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, as well as the new connections from Lübeck and Münster, which will connect the island with destinations such as London Stansted and Malaga, expanding accessibility and offerings for European travelers.
The context for this move comes as Ryanair faces pressure on high operating costs in Germany, including air traffic control fees, taxes, and strict airport security measures. According to Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson, "some regional airports have been able to offset these costs through more competitive airport fares, making them more attractive to the airline and its passengers."
In addition to Ryanair, Gran Canaria will benefit from the recent collaboration between Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) and Air Europa. This codeshare alliance significantly improves connectivity between Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula, allowing Nordic travelers easier access to the Canary Islands. SAS will include its code on flights operated by Air Europa from Madrid to Gran Canaria, Tenerife North, and other key destinations, while Air Europa will facilitate connections to Scandinavian cities such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Gothenburg, Trondheim, and Bergen. This synergy will allow for increased market share in a high-income tourist segment that maintains a growing demand for the Canary Islands.
These changes to the European air travel map come at a crucial time for Gran Canaria, which closed 2024 with a tourism turnover exceeding €6.000 billion, and its southern region accounts for more than €1.000 billion in tourism revenue. The island thus consolidates its image as a safe destination, with a stable climate year-round, modern infrastructure, and a diverse tourist offering that particularly appeals to mid- to high-end travelers.
Ryanair, with its commitment to German regional routes, along with the SAS-Air Europa alliance, is helping Gran Canaria maintain a constant and diversified flow of European tourists, strengthening its position in a highly competitive holiday market. The addition of more seats and new connections offers travelers greater flexibility and choice, vital in a context where experience and connectivity make the difference.
