by InTrieste
In a significant boost for travelers and the local economy, Ryanair has confirmed the return of a winter flight route between Trieste Airport and Brussels Charleroi, marking a notable expansion for the Italian regional hub. The low-cost carrier will restore its connection from Ronchi dei Legionari to Brussels starting October 27, a route that had been available only during the summer months for several years.
The announcement is part of a broader effort by Ryanair to expand its footprint across Europe, and for Trieste Airport, it comes during a period of rapid growth. Trieste, which has long been overshadowed by Italy’s larger airports, is now on the verge of shattering historical passenger records. After posting a 41 percent rise in traffic during the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, the airport is expected to surpass the milestone of one million passengers by the end of October.
In an interview, Marco Consalvo, CEO of Trieste Airport, expressed optimism about Ryanair’s move. “There were numerous requests from passengers for winter service,” he said. “We welcome Ryanair’s decision to restore this route, which is already on sale with two weekly flights, on Wednesdays and Sundays.”
This marks a continuation of Ryanair’s winter service, which was initially introduced in 2021 during the pandemic but had since been scaled back to a summer-only operation. The decision to reinstate the winter route reflects growing demand, especially among business travelers heading to Brussels, home of the European Parliament. Additionally, the airline is seeing an uptick in tourist traffic on the route, as travelers increasingly look to Brussels as a year-round destination.
Ryanair’s renewed focus on Charleroi comes after the airline decided to cut back operations at Brussels Zaventem, Belgium’s main airport, citing rising airport costs. The airline said these costs, which have increased further in 2024, have rendered Zaventem uncompetitive compared to other European airports. Charleroi, with its lower fees, is now the focus of Ryanair’s Belgian operations, with nine routes set to launch this winter, including connections to Cork, Dubrovnik, Gothenburg, Kaunas, Sarajevo, and Tel Aviv.
For Trieste Airport, the timing could not be better. In addition to the resumption of the Brussels route, the airport is preparing to launch a new flight to Bucharest at the end of October, bringing the number of international routes served to 14. Domestically, Trieste Airport has also seen a surge in traffic on key routes such as Rome and Milan, with occupancy rates reaching near capacity. Ita Airways, Italy’s national carrier, currently operates four daily flights to Rome and is in discussions to add a fifth.
Ryanair, which opened its nineteenth base in Italy at Trieste earlier this year, remains a key driver of the airport’s growth. The airline’s presence, combined with high demand for budget travel, has positioned Trieste as a growing player in Italy’s air travel market, with potential plans for future connections to major cities such as Istanbul, Paris, and London.
Despite its regional status, Trieste Airport is increasingly punching above its weight. By mid-September, airport officials expect to surpass 930,000 passengers for the year, exceeding last year’s total. The airport is on track to close 2024 with 1.3 million passengers, a remarkable achievement for an airport that has, until recently, been viewed as a smaller player in Italy’s aviation landscape.
“We’re becoming, if not large, at least medium-sized,” Consalvo said, highlighting the airport’s growth trajectory. The revival of the winter Brussels route is emblematic of this progress, as Trieste positions itself as a key transit point not just for Italy, but for international travelers across Europe.
With its sights set on further expansion, Trieste Airport is fast becoming one of the country’s most dynamic aviation hubs, offering a glimpse of its future ambitions amid a rapidly changing European travel landscape.
