Clermont-Ferrand Residents Protest Ryanair’s Cancellation of Porto Route
“We’ve had enough. We won’t let this happen anymore!” Carlos Da Costa, spokesperson for the luso France collective, expressed the frustration of many after Ryanair canceled its Clermont-Ferrand to Porto route. The move, reported by le Parisien, is “the last straw” for a community heavily reliant on the connection.
A petition launched Monday, January 26th, is already gaining traction within the Portuguese community, which numbers nearly 15,000 around Clermont and 30,000 in the Puy-de-Dôme region – the second largest Portuguese population in France after the Paris area.
“This route was 98% full. It wasn’t a gimmick; it was a vital link for our families, our elders, and our businesses,” da Costa said.
Ryanair’s decision follows a pattern of pulling back from regional French airports in response to rising taxes, as Le Parisien detailed in November 2025. The cancellation leaves the Auvergne region feeling more isolated.
Further Reading:
- Le Parisien: Clermont-Ferrand grounded as Ryanair Packs its Bags
- Le Parisien: Facing Tax Increases, Ryanair Says It Will Leave More Regional French Airports This Summer
- Le Parisien: Puy-de-Dôme Region
- Le Parisien: Life for Portuguese People in France’s Largest Slum Will Finally Have Its Documentary
