Ryanair, the World’s favourite airline, confirmed today (6th Aug 09) that it will continue to cut flights/ traffic at high cost, tourist tax airports in the UK and Ireland and switch aircraft/ traffic to EU countries and airports that offer no tourist taxes and lower airport costs.  In the last week Ryanair announced 43 new Spanish routes which will bring 2.4m new passengers, create 2,400 new jobs and deliver a visitor spend of over €360m to Spain.

Ryanair’s big expansion is thanks to Spain’s zero tourist taxes and the 100% discount on airport charges for traffic growth this winter.  This contrasts with the capacity reductions Ryanair has announced in the UK and Ireland where airport charges at Dublin and Stansted are increasing and the Irish and UK Governments impose suicidal tourist taxes of €10 and £10 respectively.

 

Ryanair celebrates these 43 new routes and 2.4 million passengers for Spain by releasing 1 million £1 seats for travel across its European network in October and November which are available for booking on www.ryanair.com until midnight tomorrow (7th July).

 

Speaking in Madrid today, Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:

 

“Ryanair is delighted with its record Spanish growth and our 43 new routes to/ from Spain this winter which will bring more low fares, more competition and choice to even more consumers/visitors of Spain.

 

“Ryanair’s 43 new Spanish routes will deliver 2.4 million passengers and sustain at least 2,400 jobs.  These 43 new routes are the result of the 100% discount offered by AENA on its airport charges.  The continuation of these routes throughout 2010 will however be dependent on a long term extension of this discount scheme.  We are confident that in the current climate of reduced traffic and tourism in Spain that the Spanish Government will see the wisdom of long term extensions of its low airport costs policy.

 

“To celebrate this dramatic expansion to/from Spain we are releasing 1 million £1 seats for travel in October and November.  These seats will be snapped up, so log on to www.ryanair.com today”.