Ryanair to close Dusseldorf base

Ryanair, Europe’s leading low fares airline, today confirmed that it will close its base at Dusseldorf-Weeze with the potential loss of 2.5m passengers and 2,500 local jobs if the decision by the OVG Court in Munster to restrict the airport’s operating hours is not overturned.

Ryanair has today stopped accepting bookings on all flights affected by the change in the airport’s operating hours. The airline will review the Court’s decision with the Airport and its lawyers but confirmed that the base will close if the court decision to restrict operating hours is not overturned by Wednesday 29th April.

Ryanair currently operates 6 based aircraft at Dusseldorf – Weeze, which deliver 2.5m passengers p.a. and sustain 2,500 local jobs, most of which will be lost if Ryanair closes its base at the airport.

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

“Ryanair and Dusseldorf-Weeze airport have been a huge success story for the entire region. We have grown our routes and passenger numbers rapidly but the OVG Court decision will result in the loss of 2,500 local jobs and Ryanair’s 2.5million passengers p.a. if this unworkable, unfair and unnecessary restriction to operating times is enforced.

“From today Ryanair will no longer be accepting bookings on affected flights to/from Dusseldorf-Weeze for travel after 2nd May. If the decision to restrict the airport is not overturned by Wednesday 29th April we will announce a plan to withdraw our base at Dusseldorf Weeze as it will be impossible to operate our schedule with these restrictions in place. ”