Poland Tourism Gets Major Boost as Ryanair Adds 12 New Routes to Italy, UK, Ireland, Slovakia and Croatia for Winter 2026-27

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Warsaw is preparing for a broader tourism season as Ryanair introduces 12 new routes from the Polish capital for winter 2026-27. The expansion will connect Warsaw with destinations across Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Slovakia and Croatia, creating additional travel options for both international visitors arriving in Poland and Polish travelers heading abroad. The move also strengthens Warsaw’s position as one of Central Europe’s most connected gateways during the winter travel period.

The airline’s growth strategy will be centered on Warsaw Modlin Airport, where two additional Boeing 737 aircraft will be stationed from October. With the new additions, Ryanair’s based fleet at the airport will increase to eight aircraft, allowing the carrier to expand frequencies and open new city connections throughout Europe.

New European Gateways Open from Warsaw Modlin Airport

Five of the new routes will operate from Warsaw Modlin Airport, linking the Polish capital region with Bratislava, Bristol, Manchester, Shannon and Zagreb. Each destination offers distinct tourism opportunities and provides travelers with more direct access to different parts of Europe.

Bratislava opens another gateway to Central Europe, giving travelers convenient access to Slovakia’s historic capital and the surrounding Danube region. Zagreb enhances links between Poland and Croatia, a destination that continues to attract European travelers throughout the year due to its cultural attractions and growing city-break appeal.

The addition of Bristol and Manchester strengthens connections between Poland and the United Kingdom, a market that remains important for tourism, visiting friends and relatives travel, and weekend city breaks. Shannon, meanwhile, offers direct access to Ireland’s western region, known for its coastal landscapes, heritage attractions and access to routes such as the Wild Atlantic Way.

Warsaw Chopin Airport Adds Seven New Italian and UK Connections

At Warsaw Chopin Airport, Ryanair plans a significant expansion of its network, increasing annual passenger numbers by more than 50 percent to approximately 800,000. The airport will see seven new routes added to its schedule, with a strong focus on Italy.

New services to Bari, Bologna, Catania, Naples, Turin and Venice will provide travelers with direct access to some of Italy’s most visited destinations. The expanded network reflects the continuing popularity of Italian cities among European travelers seeking cultural experiences, culinary tourism, heritage attractions and short city breaks.

Venice remains one of Europe’s most recognized tourism destinations, attracting visitors with its canals, historic architecture and cultural landmarks. Naples serves as a gateway to southern Italy and nearby attractions including the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. Bologna continues to draw travelers interested in gastronomy and historic city centers, while Bari provides access to Italy’s Adriatic coastline and the Puglia region.

Turin offers visitors a mix of history, museums and alpine proximity, while Catania serves as a key entry point to Sicily, one of the Mediterranean’s largest tourism destinations. Together, the six Italian routes significantly expand travel opportunities between Poland and Italy during the winter season.

Liverpool, the seventh new route from Warsaw Chopin Airport, adds another major British destination to the network. The city remains a popular destination for cultural tourism, music-related travel and urban leisure trips.

Winter Connectivity Supports Year-Round Tourism

The expansion comes as European destinations increasingly focus on attracting visitors beyond the traditional summer peak. Additional winter air services provide travelers with more flexibility when planning holidays, cultural trips and seasonal breaks.

For Warsaw, increased connectivity creates more opportunities to attract inbound tourists from several European markets. Direct air links often play an important role in destination visibility, making it easier for travelers to consider new cities when planning future trips.

The enlarged network also improves access to Poland for travelers arriving from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Slovakia and Croatia. Visitors can use Warsaw as both a destination and a starting point for exploring other parts of the country, including historic cities, cultural attractions and regional tourism destinations.

A Broader European Network for Winter Travelers

Ryanair’s winter 2026-27 expansion represents one of the largest seasonal network additions for Warsaw in recent years. By increasing aircraft capacity at Warsaw Modlin Airport and expanding services at Warsaw Chopin Airport, the airline is creating additional travel opportunities across multiple tourism markets.

The combination of new routes to Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Slovakia and Croatia broadens the range of destinations available from Poland’s capital while supporting greater movement of travelers across Europe during the winter season.

Conclusion

Warsaw is set to gain stronger tourism connectivity during winter 2026-27 as Ryanair launches 12 new routes across Europe. The expansion introduces new direct links to Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Slovakia and Croatia while increasing capacity at both Warsaw Modlin Airport and Warsaw Chopin Airport. For travelers, the new services offer more destination choices, easier access to popular European cities and enhanced opportunities for year-round travel across the continent.