Ryanair cuts Blackpool routes over tax

Ryanair continues to slash routes as major carriers reduce fuel surcharges and offer discounted air fares in hopes of attracting more passengers.

Blackpool is the latest airport to see Ryanair cut operations, after the budget airline said that it would slash services rather than have its customers pay an airport development tax.

Ryanair services will also be suspended at Newquay airport, which will be closed down for three weeks in December.

Major scheduled airlines are reporting an increase of 1.8 per cent in passenger traffic in October, as compared with the same month in 2007.

Passengers are benefiting from what an industry expert has described as a “savage price war,” as airlines are trying numerous approaches to deal with worsening economic conditions.

Airline bosses – including BA’s Willie Walsh – predicted the end of cheap air travel in comments made last June, at their annual meeting in Istanbul. It seems that the comments may have been made prematurely however, as the cost of aviation fuel has dropped dramatically during the last few months.

Nevertheless, airlines are finding it challenging to fill planes as the credit crunch impacts customers’ appetite for travel.

“The airline industry is no more immune from the current economic situation than any other high street retailer,” said an industry source.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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