EasyJet will end all flights from Leeds Bradford Airport after January 5, 2027, dropping six routes: Barcelona, Majorca, Malaga, Paris CDG, Geneva, and Belfast. Affected passengers are entitled under UK261 to a full refund or a free transfer to another airport. Ryanair and Jet2 offer alternatives from LBA.

EasyJet confirmed on August 19, 2026 that it will withdraw from Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) after 16 years, ending six routes that have carried Yorkshire travelers to Spain, France, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland. The decision lands weeks after easyJet agreed to a £5.7 billion takeover by US private equity firm Apollo Global Management.

For roughly 5 million Yorkshire residents, this raises urgent questions: Can I get my money back? What happens to the seat and baggage fees I already paid? And which airline can fly me to the same destination now?

Which EasyJet Routes Are Being Cut From Leeds Bradford?

EasyJet is ending all six of its Leeds Bradford routes: Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Majorca), Malaga, Paris CDG, Geneva, and Belfast. The airline says the decision follows a network review to focus on its “most popular” routes, not weak demand. The full LBA schedule stops after January 5, 2027.

Not every route ends on the same date. Here’s the timeline:

All flights before these dates operate as normal. EasyJet has already contacted affected customers with bookings beyond January 5, 2027.

Why Is EasyJet Leaving Leeds Bradford Airport?

EasyJet blames a routine network review, saying it wants to concentrate on its busiest routes. Financial pressure likely played a part too. In July 2026, easyJet reported a 70% profit decline driven by fuel costs of around £105 million. Shortly after, it agreed to a £5.7 billion takeover by Apollo Global Management.

Apollo agreed to pay 715p per share, with the deal confirmed on August 6, 2026 and expected to close by the end of March 2027 (IG, August 2026). Apollo’s stake is capped at 49.9% to comply with UK and EU airline ownership rules. For passengers, the practical takeaway is simple: existing legal protections still apply regardless of who owns the airline.

What Are Your Refund Rights Under UK261?

Under UK261  the retained UK version of EU Regulation 261/2004  when an airline cancels your flight you are entitled to either a full refund or rerouting to your destination. Because easyJet is scrapping these routes entirely, you can claim your money back in full, including the return leg, even if only one direction is affected.

Your two core options are:

• A full refund of the fare for any part of your trip you no longer wish to take.
• A free transfer to an easyJet flight from an alternative airport, subject to availability.

EasyJet has said all affected customers will be offered one of these choices. Refunds should be processed back to your original payment method. Keep your booking reference and any confirmation emails on hand when you claim.

One important limit: because easyJet gave more than 14 days’ notice, you are not owed the fixed cash compensation (up to £520) that applies to short-notice cancellations. The refund and rerouting rights still stand.

Do You Get Your Seat, Bag, and Prepaid Fees Refunded?

Yes. When easyJet cancels a route and you take the full refund, that refund should cover the entire booking  including prepaid extras like seat selection, hold luggage, and speedy boarding. These are travel extras tied to a flight that will no longer operate, so they must be returned with your fare.

To protect yourself:

• Screenshot your booking summary showing every extra you paid for.
• Request the refund through Manage Bookings on easyjet.com or the easyJet app.
• Keep receipts for any extra costs you take on while sorting alternatives  travel insurance may cover these.

For a full breakdown of what you paid and what’s refundable, see our easyJet baggage guide (link to easyJet baggage pillar).

What Are Ryanair’s £29.99 Rescue Fares?

Ryanair launched “rescue fares” from £29.99 on August 21, 2026, aimed at stranded LBA passengers. The confirmed deal covers the Leeds Bradford–Malaga route, where Ryanair runs 10 weekly flights. The catch: these fares are only bookable until the end of February 2027, so waiting could cost you.

Ryanair’s Director of Comms, Jade Kirwan, said affected easyJet passengers “can now switch to one of Ryanair’s 10 Malaga services per week.” A few things to weigh before booking:

• The £29.99 price is a base fare  bags, seats, and priority boarding cost extra.
• The deadline is firm: bookings close at the end of February 2027.
• Only some easyJet destinations overlap with Ryanair’s LBA network.

What Are Your Jet2 Alternatives From Leeds Bradford?

Jet2 remains a major operator at Leeds Bradford and covers the popular sunshine routes easyJet is dropping, including Malaga and Majorca. Jet2 also announced new routes to Preveza and Santorini for summer 2027. However, Jet2 focuses on leisure destinations, so business-style routes like Paris CDG and Geneva are harder to match directly.

For Paris, Geneva, or Belfast, you may need to fly from Manchester, use rail links, or take the free easyJet transfer to another airport. See our Ryanair and Jet2 guides for current schedules (link to Ryanair/Jet2 pillars).

How Does Baggage Compare Across the Three Airlines?

Baggage rules differ sharply, and that can wipe out any fare saving. EasyJet and Ryanair charge for most checked bags, while Jet2 includes a generous 22kg allowance on holiday bookings. Comparing total cost  not just the headline fare  is the smart move before you rebook.

If you check bags often, Jet2’s included 22kg allowance frequently beats a cheap Ryanair base fare once extras are added.

Your Step-by-Step Action Plan

Acting early protects both your money and your travel plans. Follow these steps:

1. Check your booking date. Anything after January 5, 2027 is affected.
2. Decide: refund or transfer. Choose based on whether you still want to travel.
3. Claim through easyJet. Use Manage Bookings on the app or website.
4. Document everything. Save your booking reference, extras, and receipts.
5. Rebook fast. Ryanair rescue fares end February 2027; Jet2 seats fill quickly.
6. Check travel insurance. It may cover extra costs the refund doesn’t.

Don’t Wait to Secure Your Money or Your Seat

EasyJet’s Leeds Bradford exit disrupts thousands of Yorkshire trips, but your rights are clear. You can reclaim your full fare  including prepaid seats and bags  or take a free transfer to another airport. If you’d rather stay local, Ryanair and Jet2 still fly many of the same routes from LBA.

The two ticking clocks are Ryanair’s February 2027 rescue fare deadline and easyJet’s own route end dates. Claim your refund now, compare total baggage costs before rebooking, and keep every receipt in case your insurer needs it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does easyJet stop flying from Leeds Bradford?
EasyJet ends all Leeds Bradford flights after January 5, 2027. Malaga and Majorca stop in November 2026 as summer-only routes, and Geneva already ended in June 2026. Barcelona, Paris CDG, and Belfast run until the January 5 cut-off.

Which six routes is easyJet cutting from Leeds Bradford?
EasyJet is dropping Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca (Majorca), Malaga, Paris CDG, Geneva, and Belfast. These routes covered the airline’s Yorkshire network for 16 years before the withdrawal announced on August 19, 2026.

Can I get a full refund if my easyJet flight is cancelled?
Yes. Under UK261, you can claim a full refund for any cancelled portion of your booking, including the return flight. Alternatively, easyJet offers a free transfer to a flight from a different airport, subject to availability.

Will easyJet refund my seat selection and baggage fees?
Yes. A full refund covers your entire booking, including prepaid extras like seat selection, hold luggage, and speedy boarding, since these are tied to a flight that will no longer operate. Request the refund via Manage Bookings.

Am I entitled to cash compensation for this cancellation?
No. Because easyJet gave more than 14 days’ notice, the fixed UK261 cash compensation of up to £520 does not apply. You are still entitled to a full refund or free rerouting to your destination.

How much are Ryanair’s rescue fares from Leeds Bradford?
Ryanair rescue fares start at £29.99, confirmed for the Leeds Bradford–Malaga route with 10 weekly flights. The fares launched August 21, 2026 and are only bookable until the end of February 2027.

Does Jet2 fly the same routes easyJet is dropping?
Jet2 covers popular sunshine routes like Malaga and Majorca from Leeds Bradford and is adding Preveza and Santorini for summer 2027. It does not directly replace business routes such as Paris CDG, Geneva, or Belfast.

What happens to my Paris, Geneva, or Belfast booking?
These routes have limited direct replacements from LBA. Take the easyJet full refund or free airport transfer, or consider flying from Manchester or using rail links to reach these destinations.

Which airline offers the best baggage allowance?
Jet2 includes a 22kg hold allowance on holiday bookings, often the best value. Ryanair and easyJet charge separately for checked bags, starting around £25 and £14.99 respectively, so compare total cost before booking.

Does the Apollo takeover affect my passenger rights?
No. Apollo’s £5.7 billion takeover, expected to complete by end of March 2027, does not change your UK261 protections. You keep your right to a full refund or rerouting regardless of the airline’s ownership.