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Ryanair cuts Edinburgh traffic by 15 per cent
Feb 22, 2012
Airports
Ryanair has announced that it would cut its base at Edinburgh from seven to six aircraft, with the loss of five routes, 300,000 pax p.a., leading to the loss of up to 300 jobs, following the breakdown of negotiations with the high cost BAA Edinburgh about a competitive cost base for further Ryanair growth at Edinburgh. Ryanair also warned that BAA Edinburgh’s high cost base will lead to significant further cuts in Ryanair’s operation, if its five year agreement (which expires in Oct 2012) is not extended on more competitive terms.
These cuts at Edinburgh Airport (including the closure of Berlin, Malmo, Murcia, Ibiza and Tallinn routes) become effective for the summer 2012 schedule (starting April).
Ryanair will continue its negotiations with BAA Edinburgh to try to extend its five year agreement on a competitive basis from October 2012 but warned that if these negotiations are unsuccessful, then there will be further significant aircraft, route, traffic and jobs cuts announced at Edinburgh from winter 2012 onwards.
In response, Jim O’Sullivan, Managing Director, Edinburgh Airport, said: “Of course we are disappointed that Ryanair has reduced its services from Edinburgh. We have tried extremely hard to negotiate with Ryanair but sadly on many issues have not been able to find common ground. For example, we cannot accept their wish to not pay the agreed air traffic control costs that all other airlines pay.”
“As ever, our focus remains on providing managed, sustained and high value growth matching the aspirations of our city.”
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