Ryanair cuts Shannon services by 21%
RYANAIR has announced it is to cut its services at Shannon Airport by a fifth from the beginning of November.
Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has confirmed the low-fares airline will cease operating on the Shannon to Paris Route from November 1 next.
Frequencies on the London-Gatwick and London-Stansted routes will be reduced from the same date.
Speaking at a press conference at the Clarion Hotel this afternoon Mr O'Leary blamed the cuts on the "idiots" at the Dublin Airport Authority whom, he said, had decided to increase passenger charges at Shannon.
Mr O'Leary claimed Shannon Airport "couldn't buy a pencil" without the
approval of the DAA.
"It is clear that the Irish Government and the DAA monopoly, are determined to destroy Irish air traffic, Irish tourism and Irish jobs," he said calling for greater autonomy for the Shannon Airport Authority.
Ryanair says the cuts will see its passangers numbers at Shannon fall to about 400,000 a year compared to a peak of 1.9 million two years ago.
In a statement the Shannon Airport Authority said it regrets Ryanair's decision. "While we regret any reduction in services, the cutting of the Paris Beauvais route is surprising as it is had been strong performing, with a load factor of 89 per cent in August for example," said a spokesperson.
Shannon Airport has also defended the decision to raise passenger charges. "This modest passenger charges increase was essential to enable the airport commercially deliver a high quality, safe service at for passengers at Shannon."
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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