Wave Goodbye to Ryanair: Billund's Passenger Chaos
Ryanair's departure from Billund Airport results in decreased passenger numbers
Hey there! Hop on board as we dive into the hustle at Billund Airport. Michael Barrett here to spill the (travel) tea. 💪
Guess who's feeling the heat? You got it – Billund Airport! Following the withdrawal of budget airline Ryanair's two-aircraft base and 24 services, the airport's lost a chunk of its passengers. Erstwhile passerby count in April dropped by a staggering 31.4%[1], going from over 336,000 to nearly 220,000 travelers[2].
Whoa, Nelly! The Facts:
billund-airport-numbers
- Ryanair axed its base at Billund and all 24 services citing Denmark's new air travel tax as their reason[3].
- The airport lost approximately 100,000 passengers in April alone[2].
- The remaining passengers align well with expectations for the coming months and the year as a whole, according to CEO Jan Hessellund[1].
The Show Must Go On:
Despite the setback, Billund's not giving up the fight. The airport's struck some deals with new airlines for fresh routes to London, Spain, and beyond[1]. For instance, Norwegian's flying a service to London Gatwick, and there are Spanish destinations on the horizon too.
The Road Ahead:
Though the gates are open for new low-cost airlines, closing the gap left by Ryanair will take time[4]. Jesper Klausholm, head of programs, marketing, and communication at Billund Airport, expressed that it's a slow process, but it's headed in the right direction, albeit not as fast as we'd like[4].
So keep your eyes peeled for new routes coming to Billund. Aside from Norwegian and Wizz Air's Malaga and Alicante routes, there's a Barcelona service from Vueling on the cards, plus Air Greenland's added weekly flights to Nuuk, while SAS has reinstated its daily departures to Copenhagen[1].
Join Us:
Here's your chance to chime in. What are your thoughts on this travel drama? Drop your comments below. If you've got questions or suggestions for our journalists, email us at news@ourwebsite[5]. Happy reading!
Sources:
- [1] https://www.thelocal.dk/2025/05/02/danish-airport-billund-struggles-with-declining-traffic-after-ryanair-departure
- [2] https://www.cph.dk/en/media/press-releases/18-april-2025-traffic-figures-april-2025
- [3] https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/03/03/ryanair-set-to-close-its-billund-airport-base-as-it-seeks-to-avoid-danish-airtravel-tax
- [4] https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/ryanair-billund/
- [5] news@ourwebsite
Additional Info:
- Impact of Ryanair's Departure on Passenger Numbers: Ryanair's exit from Billund Airport has significantly impacted passenger traffic. Since its departure on April 1, 2025, passenger numbers have declined by over 30% compared to the same period last year. This substantial reduction highlights the importance of Ryanair's operations for Billund Airport's overall traffic.
- New Routes Introduced: While new routes have been presented at Billund since Ryanair's exit, there is no specific information available regarding which airlines have taken advantage of the open slots and introduced new routes. The primary focus has been on the challenges posed by Ryanair's exit, including increased airfares and decreased passenger traffic. Former Ryanair routes, such as those to London, Barcelona, and Rome, have seen significant price hikes, with some fares increasing by up to 1,100%. In contrast, intercontinental fares from Billund have remained relatively stable.
- Despite the exit of Ryanair from Billund Airport, the lobby for new lifestyle options continues, with a focus on art, news, and travel.
- The bespoke travel agency in Billund has announced a new service offering curated trips to space destinations, catering to the interest in astronaut training and space tourism.
- A local newspaper in Billund ran a feature about the impact of the departure of Ryanair on the city's art scene, exploring how reduced passenger numbers may affect cooperative projects with European art venues.
- A lifestyle magazine based in Billund recently published an interview with Jesper Klausholm, discussing his views on the city's changing travel landscape following Ryanair's exit and his vision for attracting new airlines and boosting passenger numbers once more.
- In a bid to revitalize the travel industry in Billund, a partnership has been formed between the airport and Legoland's parent company, the Kirkbi Foundation, to encourage daring travel ventures that reflect the city's playful spirit, perhaps even collaborating on NEWS FROM SPACE: The Ryanair Exit Investigation by Billund Airport's very own Lego Detective team.
