Ryanair confirmed that its new winter 2025/26 Lapland schedule will begin on Sunday, 26 October with five weekly return flights from Dublin to Rovaniemi, Finland’s gateway to Santa Claus Village. Two weekly rotations from Shannon start the following day.
The low-cost carrier said advance bookings were “well ahead” of expectations as Irish families plan Christmas getaways earlier than ever. Tour operators report a 40 % year-on-year rise in Lapland package enquiries, citing the convenience of direct flights.
From a mobility perspective, the route provides an additional option for Irish professionals on Nordic assignments who currently transit via Helsinki or Stockholm. It also strengthens air links between two export-oriented regions; the Finnish Chamber of Commerce says it will promote the direct flight to attract tech talent from Ireland to Oulu and Tampere.
The launch coincides with Ryanair’s broader Winter schedule, which adds capacity on sun routes but cuts two aircraft from its Vienna base after a tax dispute. Analysts say the contrast shows how Dublin remains central to the airline’s growth strategy.
The low-cost carrier said advance bookings were “well ahead” of expectations as Irish families plan Christmas getaways earlier than ever. Tour operators report a 40 % year-on-year rise in Lapland package enquiries, citing the convenience of direct flights.
From a mobility perspective, the route provides an additional option for Irish professionals on Nordic assignments who currently transit via Helsinki or Stockholm. It also strengthens air links between two export-oriented regions; the Finnish Chamber of Commerce says it will promote the direct flight to attract tech talent from Ireland to Oulu and Tampere.
The launch coincides with Ryanair’s broader Winter schedule, which adds capacity on sun routes but cuts two aircraft from its Vienna base after a tax dispute. Analysts say the contrast shows how Dublin remains central to the airline’s growth strategy.
