Ryanair says increased flight duty will devastate UK tourism

In Liverpool yesterday, Ryanair (Tuesday 25 November 2008) condemned the UK Government's increase in air passenger duty (APD) for short haul traffic from £10 to £11 in 2009 and £12 in 2010 as regressive, damaging to the UK tourism industry (when visitor numbers are already falling) and devastating for regional airports where passengers and visitors demand low fares and are most price sensitive.

Ryanair blasted the tax which had been billed as an environmental tax since it was introduced, claiming that not one penny of the tax has done anything to address environmental issues. Ryanair pointed out that the tax fails to reward airlines, such as Ryanair, which invest in brand new aircraft and operate younger, cleaner, more environmentally friendly aircraft.

Ryanair confirmed that it will now enter into discussions with regional airports about the future viability of passenger traffic and growth in light of this increased cost. Ryanair highlighted that its average fare during the winter at regional airports is just £10 with Ryanair absorbing the current £10 tax. However, Ryanair warned that it will be unable to continue to absorb taxes which continue to increase the cost of air travel.

Calling today for an urgent rethink on increasing airport passenger duty, Ryanair’s Michael Cawley (pictured) said at Liverpool Airport:

“This Government must realise that it can’t tax the tourism industry out of a recession. BAA traffic figures show that passenger traffic has fallen since this tax was introduced and this increase will have a further damaging effect on passengers. BAA traffic fell by 5% in September and 6% in October with the first 10 months of the year showing a decline of 2%. As Ryanair has repeatedly shown, the tourism industry can only grow and thrive if it has lower access costs and not idiotic regressive taxation which hits the poorest, most price sensitive passengers, and makes UK tourism an increasingly unattractive option.

“Our greatest concern is the devastation this regressive tax will have on our regional bases, which we have grown due to Ryanair’s commitment to lowering fares. The Government is insane if it thinks these price- sensitive passengers will continue to travel if faced with increased costs. We have released 1 million £10 fares to demonstrate the need for airfares, airport charges and so called environmental taxes to be kept low in order to keep passengers travelling – especially during the winter and the current recession. I urge passengers to log on to ryanair.com before midnight Sunday (30th Nov) to secure one of these £10 seats.”