Ryanair is expanding its Warsaw operations for winter 2026, adding two more based aircraft at Warsaw Modlin and growing its network across both Modlin and Warsaw Chopin. The airline said its record winter schedule for the Polish capital will include 46 routes, including 12 new destinations, and support annual traffic of about 4 million passengers across the two airports.
The expansion strengthens Ryanair’s position in Poland, where the carrier describes itself as the country’s largest airline. At Modlin, Ryanair will base two additional aircraft, bringing its total fleet there to eight. The airline said the move represents an $800 million total investment at the airport and will support more than 2,500 jobs, including 240 pilot and cabin crew roles.
The Modlin schedule will include 30 routes, with five new destinations: Bratislava, Bristol, Manchester, Shannon and Zagreb. Ryanair expects annual traffic at Modlin to more than double from 1.5 million passengers to over 3.2 million. The growth follows a multi-year agreement at Modlin that the airline says is supporting new terminal capacity, additional routes and lower fares for the wider Mazovia region.
Ryanair is also increasing its presence at Warsaw Chopin, Poland’s main airport. The airline will operate 16 routes from Chopin in winter 2026, including seven new routes to Bari, Bologna, Catania, Liverpool, Naples, Turin and Venice. Traffic at Chopin is expected to rise by more than 50% to about 800,000 passengers annually.
The dual-airport strategy gives Ryanair a broader foothold in Warsaw. Modlin remains the carrier’s main low-cost base in the region, while Chopin allows Ryanair to reach passengers who prefer the capital’s central airport and its wider transport connections. The combination also increases competitive pressure in one of Central Europe’s most important aviation markets.
For Warsaw travelers, the expansion means more winter city-break and leisure routes, especially to Italy and the U.K. From Chopin, the addition of Bari, Bologna, Catania, Naples, Turin and Venice deepens Ryanair’s Italian network, while Liverpool adds another British option. From Modlin, the new routes add a mix of Central European, U.K., Irish and Balkan connectivity.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the expansion would bring more choice, more competition and lower fares to Warsaw residents and visitors. To mark the announcement, the airline launched a three-day seat sale with fares starting from 134 PLN through its website and app.
The announcement comes as Warsaw’s air travel market continues to evolve around two different airport models. Chopin remains the city’s primary airport for full-service, legacy and international traffic, while Modlin has long served as a lower-cost alternative with a strong Ryanair presence. By adding capacity at both airports, Ryanair is betting that Warsaw can support growth across price-sensitive leisure traffic and more centrally located airport demand.
The winter 2026 schedule also signals that Poland remains one of Ryanair’s priority growth markets. With more aircraft, more routes and higher passenger targets, the airline is using Warsaw as a key platform for its Central European expansion.
