easyJet is set to remove 18 nonstop routes from the United Kingdom as it transitions to its winter 2026/27 schedule. The low-cost carrier announced that these changes are part of a broader strategy to reduce capacity by approximately 1.4 million seats across its network. This adjustment comes as the airline navigates rising fuel prices, market volatility, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
easyJet cancels routes from Leeds Bradford Airport
The most significant structural change involves the airline’s complete withdrawal from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). easyJet confirmed that it will cease all operations at the West Yorkshire airport starting January 5, 2027. The carrier has operated at LBA for several years, expanding its network beyond a single route to Geneva that it maintained until 2017.
Currently, easyJet serves five destinations from Leeds Bradford: Barcelona, Belfast, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. It also operated seasonal flights to Geneva. The airline will end its flights to Málaga and Palma de Mallorca in November, followed by the permanent withdrawal of the remaining three routes in early January.
The decision to exit the airport appears driven by intense competition. Jet2, which is based at Leeds Bradford, already serves Barcelona, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Málaga, and Palma de Mallorca. Ryanair also operates flights to Málaga and Palma de Mallorca. Together, Jet2 and Ryanair account for approximately 83.5% of the airport’s seat capacity. Belfast is the only route without direct airport-to-airport competition, although Aer Lingus Regional serves Belfast City using ATR 72 aircraft.
easyJet exits Istanbul and Oslo markets
In addition to the UK route cuts, easyJet has fully exited two international markets from the UK this year. The airline stopped serving Istanbul, a market it entered in 2023. In March, easyJet announced it would end flights from Manchester Airport and Bristol International Airport to the Turkish city. The carrier cited lower-than-expected demand and intense competition, particularly from Turkish Airlines on the Manchester route.
The airline has also withdrawn from Oslo. easyJet previously served the Norwegian capital only from Manchester, where it faced competition from SAS and Norwegian. The carrier noted that Oslo operations were scattered and not part of a regularly scheduled service. The airline only offered regularly scheduled Oslo flights from Manchester. This seasonal route is set for complete exit in January 2027. This withdrawal leaves Tromsø as easyJet’s only remaining destination in Norway from the UK.
Winter capacity reductions impact major hubs
The Northern Hemisphere winter season begins tomorrow, October 25, when airlines switch to their winter schedules. easyJet initially announced plans to reduce its winter 2026/27 capacity by 600,000 to 700,000 seats earlier this summer. The airline later announced a further reduction of around 700,000 seats, bringing the total cuts to approximately 1.3 million to 1.4 million seats. This represents roughly 2.8% to 3% of its typical winter capacity of around 50 million seats.
The UK remains easyJet’s largest market, but some of its busiest airports are seeing notable reductions. According to OAG data, London Luton Airport is expected to lose around 66,000 seats, a 5.2% decline. London Gatwick Airport, which is the airline’s largest base, will cut about 90,000 seats. This is the highest reduction in easyJet’s network, equating to roughly four fewer flights per day.
Source: Simple Flying
