Alternatives for departing from Billund Airport in Denmark, aside from Ryanair.
New Travel News: Ryanair's Departure Leaves Billund Travelers Scrambling* Let's chat it up
Get ready for an extra cost, folks! Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced it will cease operations at Billund Airport in Denmark, effective from April onwards. Here's what you need to know about your upcoming travel plans.
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With Ryanair pulling out of Billund, a massive number of passengers could feel the squeeze. Currently, the second-largest airport in Denmark, Billund, is home to 24 different routes operated by Ryanair. These travel destinations include popular spots like London Stansted, Malaga, Budapest, Manchester, and more.
Say goodbye to these routes come March 31st — the airline confirmed the unfortunate news on Friday. This decision follows an earlier one to shut down its two-aircraft base at Billund. Bye-bye to two Ryanair aircraft, 32 routes, and a whopping 1.7 million plane seats for flights to and from Billund. Ouch!
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So, what now? Travelers heading to central Jutland or folks from the area planning a getaway now need to explore alternative options.
Other Airlines at Billund
Fear not! While Ryanair's departure will be a tough pill to swallow, there's a long list of other airlines, such as SAS, KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, airBaltic, and WizzAir, offering flights from Billund. The challenge lies in finding a like-for-like replacement for your soon-to-be-defunct Ryanair flight. For example, direct flights to London Stansted and Manchester from Billund will no longer be available, and you'll need to find an indirect connection to continue using the Jutland airport.
On the bright side, if you were planning a trip to Malaga on holiday, there might still be an alternative to Ryanair's flight through competitor Norwegian. Keep your eyes peeled for new flight announcements and agreements with other airlines!
Billund itself has stated it will seek partnerships with other companies to fill the Ryanair-shaped hole in its schedule, while Norwegian has expressed enthusiasm, viewing "a lot of potential" in the airport. So, hang tight, and the situation might improve!
Alternative Airports
Copenhagen Airport boasts a comprehensive selection of destinations, but its location — two and half hours by train from Vejle, the closest major rail station to Billund — could be a considerable inconvenience in terms of both cost and travel time for most passengers.
Aarhus Airport, located an hour and a half northwest of Billund, could be the most viable alternative for many travelers. While it's smaller than Billund, it does offer some of the same destinations with Ryanair, like London Stansted. Keep in mind that Aarhus Airport doesn't have a direct rail link; it's served by a bus service from nearby Aarhus.
In comments to DR, Aarhus Airport's director of operations Lotta Sandsgaard stated that it is not possible for the 24 Billund routes to be "swallowed" by Aarhus, but that the smaller airport does have growth aspirations.
The situation could get a bit tricky for folks in the south of Denmark. In that case, serious consideration might need to be given to airports in Germany, such as Hamburg Airport and the smaller Lübeck, as many border residents can reach Hamburg in as little as two hours.
Additional Notes
Remember, network airlines and charter airlines have seen a 17% and 11% increase in passenger numbers during the first four months of 2025, when excluding Ryanair's traffic. This could lead to more routes becoming available over time.
Billund Airport is working tirelessly to attract new airlines to fill the void made by Ryanair, with a focus on adding new routes as early as 2026. Keep an eye on airport developments for new options.
Good luck with your travel plans, and remember: flexibility is key in these times of change!
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More travel news and advice for your next adventure!
- The departure of Ryanair from Billund Airport has left a significant impact on many travelers, particularly those with flights to popular destinations like London Stansted, Malaga, Budapest, and more.
- In the wake of Ryanair's exit, other airlines such as SAS, KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, airBaltic, and WizzAir are offering flights from Billund, but finding a direct replacement for Ryanair flights may prove challenging.
- While alternatives like Copenhagen Airport offer a diverse array of destinations, its location may pose a considerable inconvenience due to travel time and cost.
- Aarhus Airport, situated an hour and a half northwest of Billund, could be a more practical alternative, offering some of the same destinations previously served by Ryanair, including London Stansted.
- Passengers in southern Denmark may need to consider airports in Germany, such as Hamburg Airport or the smaller Lübeck, as viable options due to their proximity to the border.
- The finance and aviation industries have seen growth with network and charter airlines seeing a 17% and 11% increase in passenger numbers, respectively, during the first four months of 2025, excluding Ryanair's traffic.
- Billund Airport is working diligently to add new airlines and routes to minimize the void left by Ryanair and provide travelers with more choices for their upcoming travels.
