Ryanair closes Valencia base

Ryanair has announced the closure of its base at Valencia following the refusal of the Comunitat Valenciana to engage in constructive discussions in relation to the promotion of the airport and its routes across Ryanair’s network in Europe. The closure will lead to a loss of over 70 weekly Ryanair flights, 750,000 passengers per annum and over 750 jobs in the region.

Ryanair’s investment of over $140m will be moved to another base in its network which will be announced next week.

Ryanair announced its new base in Valencia in August 2007 and has 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 base represented the bulk of growth at Valencia Airport over the last two years and, due to the fact that almost all the routes were from international destinations, provided a massive tourism boost throughout the region.

Since the establishment of the base, Ryanair has been seeking to cooperate with the tourism department of the Comunitat Valenciana with a view to promoting the region across Europe, however no funding has been forthcoming.

Ryanair’s Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley, said:

“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. Without any assistance or cooperation from the local tourism board, Ryanair has already shown the possibilities which are uniquely available through its low fares.

“However, the naked subsidisation by the Comunitat Valenciana of competitor airlines at the expense of Ryanair and the refusal by the same party to engage in any meaningful discussion with Ryanair have meant that continuation of our base at the airport is untenable. We have already received numerous enquiries right across Europe and we will be announcing a new base elsewhere next week with these two aircraft.

“We will maintain limited operations to Valencia Airport from other bases and should the Comunitat Valenciana wish to engage with Ryanair in the future, we would be prepared to commence sensible discussions and indeed if conditions were appropriate to even recommence a base operation at Valencia”.

*Ryanair will continue to operate a limited service to Valencia on a London (Stansted) based aircraft. Passengers who were due to travel on affected flights to/from London Stansted may be able to transfer to one of our London based services or can receive a full refund. Passengers due to travel on all other cancelled Valencia based services, will receive a full refund from Ryanair.