Ryanair has unveiled its highly anticipated Summer 2025 schedule for East Midlands Airport (EMA), promising a significant boost for local travelers.
The summer season will see 33 routes on offer and increased flight frequencies to 12 popular holiday destinations. These include perennial favourites like Alicante, Faro, and Malaga.
This expansion is supported by Ryanair’s substantial $600 million investment in six East Midlands-based aircraft.
EMA Summer 2025 Schedule
This robust schedule offers a diverse range of destinations, catering to both city break enthusiasts and sun-seeking holidaymakers.
Passengers can look forward to exploring vibrant cities like Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, Milan, and Rome. For those craving a beach getaway, popular hotspots such as Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Malta, Menorca, Rhodes, and Tenerife are readily accessible.
The airline’s decision to increase flight frequencies on key routes reflects the strong demand for these popular destinations. This means more flexibility and choice for passengers planning their summer holidays.
However, Ryanair’s expansion announcement comes amidst growing concerns about the impact of the UK government’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax.
The airline criticizes the Labour government’s decision to increase APD on short-haul flights by £2 per passenger from 2026, arguing that this move will stifle growth and harm the UK’s competitiveness.
Ryanair contends that this tax hike disproportionately affects ordinary UK families seeking affordable holidays. It also warns that it will deter international tourists from visiting the UK. Ryanair speculates they will opt for destinations in countries like Sweden, Hungary, and Italy. Here, aviation taxes are being abolished or airport fees are being reduced to stimulate growth.
Ryanair Comments
Ryanair Head of Communications, Jade Kirwan, expressed enthusiasm for the new East Midlands schedule, highlighting the wide array of exciting destinations available to passengers.
However, she also voiced strong criticism of the APD tax increase. “Ryanair could be growing more rapidly to/from the UK. But Rachel Reeves’ bizarre decision to raise APD taxes by £2 per passenger damages these growth prospects, and in particular regional UK airports.”
Kirwan emphasized the competitive disadvantage faced by the UK, noting that other European countries are actively pursuing policies to attract tourism and boost their economies through reduced aviation taxes.
She urged the UK government to reconsider its stance and abolish the “penal and damaging APD tax.” Kirwan asserted that such a move would deliver immediate and much-needed growth across the UK regions.
The airline’s message is clear: Ryanair remains committed to expanding its services and providing affordable travel options. However, the UK government’s tax policies are hindering growth and undermining the country’s competitiveness in the global aviation market.
By removing the APD tax, the UK could unlock significant economic benefits and attract more tourists. According to the low-cost carrier, this will ultimately benefit regional airports like East Midlands and the wider UK economy.
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