Menu
28/10/2008
Tax Hit On 'Budget Airline' At Shannon May Boost NI
The Irish Government's controversial airport tax has led budget airline, Ryanair, to cut its passenger numbers - and job opportunities - through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 - and to further rekindle existing interest in expanding its services at Northern Ireland airports.
Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, said the customer cuts were brought on by the €10 departure tax announced in the Irish Budget, and would "doom" the mid-west airport.
He said while Ryanair was to account for 60% of Shannon's traffic this year, next year it would cut the number of aircraft based there from four to one, with the loss of 100 Ryanair jobs.
The news comes following an announcement by Mr O'Leary that the airline will close its base at Valencia in Spain, which according to Ryanair, was in response to a refusal of the Comunitat Valenciana to subsidise the Airline's promotions.
According to a Ryanair spokesman, the new base was established in Valencia in August 2007 and had increased its passenger traffic by over 25% this year to an expected annual outcome of 1.5m passengers out of a total of 6m at the airport.
Ryanair's Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley, said at the time: "This is a very black day for the airport of Valencia and the city and region which it serves.
Ryanair had begun to transform this once overlooked region of Spanish tourism into a powerhouse of growth and development."
In counterpoint, Ryanair is looking forward to the possibility of developing its flights from George Best Belfast City Airport, should a proposed runway extension get the go-ahead, and is planning expansion at City Of Derry Airport, where a runway extension is already underway.
At present, Ryanair planes are unable to take off from Belfast with a full passenger load as the existing faciility isn't long enough to allow their planes to be fully booked.
See: Ryanair To Close Valencia Base
See: Airport Plan Wings Its Way To Approval
(DW)(BMcC)
Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary, said the customer cuts were brought on by the €10 departure tax announced in the Irish Budget, and would "doom" the mid-west airport.
He said while Ryanair was to account for 60% of Shannon's traffic this year, next year it would cut the number of aircraft based there from four to one, with the loss of 100 Ryanair jobs.
The news comes following an announcement by Mr O'Leary that the airline will close its base at Valencia in Spain, which according to Ryanair, was in response to a refusal of the Comunitat Valenciana to subsidise the Airline's promotions.
According to a Ryanair spokesman, the new base was established in Valencia in August 2007 and had increased its passenger traffic by over 25% this year to an expected annual outcome of 1.5m passengers out of a total of 6m at the airport.
Ryanair's Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley, said at the time: "This is a very black day for the airport of Valencia and the city and region which it serves.
Ryanair had begun to transform this once overlooked region of Spanish tourism into a powerhouse of growth and development."
In counterpoint, Ryanair is looking forward to the possibility of developing its flights from George Best Belfast City Airport, should a proposed runway extension get the go-ahead, and is planning expansion at City Of Derry Airport, where a runway extension is already underway.
At present, Ryanair planes are unable to take off from Belfast with a full passenger load as the existing faciility isn't long enough to allow their planes to be fully booked.
See: Ryanair To Close Valencia Base
See: Airport Plan Wings Its Way To Approval
(DW)(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 February 2009
Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry
There's bad news for an east Belfast residents' group that is fighting the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said that he is "fairly satisfied" the Northern Ireland Planning Service will approve the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.
Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry
There's bad news for an east Belfast residents' group that is fighting the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said that he is "fairly satisfied" the Northern Ireland Planning Service will approve the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.
24 October 2008
Ryanair To Close Valencia Base
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies both George Best Belfast City Airport and from City of Derry Airport - has announced it is to close its base at Valencia, Spain, which will result in the loss of 70 weekly flights. The Irish budget carrier flew from Valencia to various destinations, including Stansted, East Midlands and Liverpool.
Ryanair To Close Valencia Base
The budget airline Ryanair - which flies both George Best Belfast City Airport and from City of Derry Airport - has announced it is to close its base at Valencia, Spain, which will result in the loss of 70 weekly flights. The Irish budget carrier flew from Valencia to various destinations, including Stansted, East Midlands and Liverpool.
13 March 2002
Ryanair responds to criticism over "misleading" adverts
Low-cost airline Ryanair has come under criticism for allegedly misleading customers as to how close they land to the cities their flights claim to serve. A recent report by the consumer magazine Holiday Which? revealed that on a number of routes, Ryanair does not actually land at the major airports of numerous cities.
Ryanair responds to criticism over "misleading" adverts
Low-cost airline Ryanair has come under criticism for allegedly misleading customers as to how close they land to the cities their flights claim to serve. A recent report by the consumer magazine Holiday Which? revealed that on a number of routes, Ryanair does not actually land at the major airports of numerous cities.
01 November 2010
Ryanair's Belfast City Flights Withdrawn
Services from Belfast to London Stansted and four other UK destinations have been axed by the Irish budget airline, Ryanair. Around 1,000 jobs may have been hit with the closure which has gone ahead despite the Belfast base being profitable.
Ryanair's Belfast City Flights Withdrawn
Services from Belfast to London Stansted and four other UK destinations have been axed by the Irish budget airline, Ryanair. Around 1,000 jobs may have been hit with the closure which has gone ahead despite the Belfast base being profitable.
19 October 2010
Residents To 'Shoot Down' Airport Seat Sale
MLAs are to be told of east Belfast residents' worries over developments at Belfast's second airport with the Stormont Assembly's Environment Committee to hear concerns about the NI Environment Minister's proposal to remove the passenger limit at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Residents To 'Shoot Down' Airport Seat Sale
MLAs are to be told of east Belfast residents' worries over developments at Belfast's second airport with the Stormont Assembly's Environment Committee to hear concerns about the NI Environment Minister's proposal to remove the passenger limit at George Best Belfast City Airport.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few fog patches at first, soon clearing to leave a dry day with some patchy cloud and good sunny spells. Light and variable winds. Feeling mild in sunny spells. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Dry and quite chilly overnight under prolonged clear spells and light winds. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
