Ryanair Adds 4 new Routes from Katowice for Summer 2026
If there’s one thing Ryanair doesn’t do, it’s sit still. The airline has just unveiled its Summer 2026 plans for Katowice Airport, and let’s just say… things are escalating nicely on the departures board.
Four new routes.
One extra aircraft.
And a schedule that basically says, “Go on, book the holiday.”
By next summer, Ryanair will operate 26 routes from Katowice — its biggest programme yet from the airport — and it’s clearly leaning into leisure, sunshine and a bit of European flair.
Malaga First, Because… Obviously
Kicking things off is Malaga, launching 30th March 2026 with twice-weekly flights on Mondays and Fridays. In other words, perfectly timed for long weekends that start with “just one sangria” and end with you googling Spanish property prices.
Then from 2 June 2026, three more destinations join the lineup:
- Aarhus, Denmark (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- Lamezia Terme, Italy (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
- Tirana, Albania (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays)
It’s quite the mix. Denmark for minimalist cool and pastries that could change your life. Southern Italy for beaches and pasta that makes you emotional. And Albania — Europe’s rising star that still lets you feel smug for discovering it “before everyone else.”
Not bad for one airport in southern Poland.
If you need help with your next event, incentive, meeting, conference or group to Spain, please
Nine Aircraft and a Very Busy Summer
To keep all this moving, Ryanair will base nine aircraft in Katowice next summer — one more than last season. Three will operate scheduled routes, while six will focus on charter services, which is where Katowice really flexes its muscles.
The airline says its investment in the region now totals around $900 million. That’s not pocket change found between the seats.
Passenger numbers are expected to exceed 2.2 million annually across both scheduled and charter operations. Ryanair also notes that its presence supports more than 1,700 local jobs — including nearly 600 direct roles for pilots, cabin crew and ground staff. That’s a lot of pre-flight briefings and coffee runs.
Katowice Is Quietly Becoming a Big Deal
While it might not grab headlines like Warsaw or Kraków, Katowice is having a moment. In 2025, the airport handled 6.39 million passengers, smashing its previous 2023 record of 5.61 million. It’s now Poland’s market leader for charter traffic and a serious regional player in cargo, too.
Translation: this airport isn’t just growing — it’s thriving.
The Bigger Picture
For Ryanair, this expansion is classic strategy: add aircraft, boost leisure routes, keep fares competitive, and let demand do the rest. For Katowice, it further cements its role as a key Central European base within the airline’s network.
For travellers? It simply means more options, more direct flights, and more excuses to pack light and argue about seat selection.
Summer 2026 is shaping up to be busy — and possibly a little sunnier.
