Ryanair cuts flights from Dublin and Shannon

Ryanair has reduced the number of winter flights it operates from Dublin and Shannon airports, amid warnings that further cutbacks could be made.

The low-cost carrier will remove one plane from each of the two Irish bases during the season, axing 44 flights per week from Dublin and 36 at Shannon.

It blamed the decision on the government's continued support for Air Passenger Duty (APD), which according to Ryanair has dampened passenger demand.

Labelling the €10 APD fee a "tourist tax," the airline noted that traffic at Dublin Airport had fallen 11 per cent in the first five months of 2009.

Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said Ryanair will respond by scaling back its Irish presence, with planes being relocated to tax-free countries such as Holland and Greece.

"Ryanair will remove one aircraft from both Dublin and Shannon this winter and further cuts can be expected in the coming months if the €10 tourist tax is not scrapped," he disclosed.

"If the tourist tax is scrapped these cuts, and the tourism collapse, will be reversed."

The no-frills airline also complained about APD to the British government earlier this month. It warned Whitehall that as many as 4.5 million passengers have been deterred by the controversial charge, resulting in £1 billion in lost tourism revenue.

© Cheapflights Ltd

Comments

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Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) declared yesterday that “its airport charges are among the lowest in Europe and Ryanair’s decision is based purely on the economic downturn.”

So, I'm not sure that Ryanair is cutting flights just because of this tourist tax. If so, why can easyJet handle it, while still making a profit?