Billund Airport is bracing for a substantial decrease in passenger numbers following the dissolution of its partnership with Ryanair earlier this year. The airport anticipates a loss of 850,000 travelers in 2025 alone as a result of the split, and expects the negative impact to extend into 2026, with 600,000 fewer travelers expected compared to pre-split figures.

The departure of Ryanair is expected to significantly impact the airport’s earnings this year. In 2024, Billund Airport reported a profit of 17.2 million kroner, a notable improvement from the nearly five million kroner loss the previous year. Revenue also increased from 923.7 million kroner to 954.1 million kroner.

Ryanair’s decision to close its base in Billund on April 1st was triggered by a new passenger tax adding 50 kroner to the ticket price for all flights departing from Denmark. The airport subsequently failed to reach a new agreement with Ryanair, which had planned 24 routes for the year.

Billund Airport experienced nearly 100,000 fewer passengers in April compared to the same month last year, highlighting the immediate impact of Ryanair’s exit. Last year, the airport served a total of 3.9 million travelers.

The airport is actively seeking to mitigate the losses by establishing new agreements with other airlines. British Airways has increased its departures to London, and Wizz Air has expanded its services with connections to Gdansk, Vilnius and Iasi.