Ryanair to close Irish routes
Ryanair has announced it will cease to operate flights on its Dublin - Kerry route from Sept 7th 2011.
The move will be followed by the axing of flights on its Dublin - Cork route from 30th October next.
Three reasons were given for the decision:
The marked decline in traffic on the Cork route as motorway improvements have reduced driving times between Dublin and Cork to 2.5 hours.
The Irish government’s imposition of a PSO subsidised operation on the Dublin – Kerry route from 3rd November, to replace Ryanair’s existing low fare unsubsidised commercial flights.
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The continued excessive DAA monopoly charges at both Dublin and Cork Airports, which make these low fare domestic flights unviable, particularly where passengers are taxed €3 by the govt in each direction.
However, Ryanair confirmed ‘All Ireland’ flights on the 17th, 18th and 19th September on the Dublin - Kerry route would go ahead as planned.
Ryanair passengers who have booked to travel on these routes after their closure will receive a full refund in due course.
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said: “Ryanair regrets having to close our Dublin – Cork and Dublin – Kerry routes.
“However, passengers have been voting with their feet and switching to the convenience of driving 2.5 hours between Dublin and Cork.”