Ryanair to close seven bases of operation over winter

Ryanair has announced the temporary closing of operations at seven European airports, and also that it is cutting back on departures from Stanstead Airport this coming winter. Both measures are part of the carrier’s efforts to cut costs.

The low-cost airline has said that the closures stem from the high costs it incurs at these airports, as well as record-high prices for oil. The halt, which is anticipated to last more than a month, will involve Basel, Krakow, Budapest, Rzeszow, Salzburg, Palma and Valencia airports.

Ryanair commented that costs at these airports are among the highest of any airports in Europe and outweigh potential revenues by far, as passengers typically expect to pay lower airfares during off-peak seasons.

With oil having reached $140 a barrel and airfares normally lower in the winter, the carrier said it was forced to make reductions in service at the more expensive airports.

Ryanair confirmed that it had written to the various airports asking for cost reductions on flights during the coming winter season, but had received an inadequate response.

“A combination of high airport charges and the massive increases which we face in fuel prices, makes it more profitable for Ryanair to ground aircraft rather than fly them at these airports during this period,” said the deputy chief executive of Ryanair, Michael Cawley.

“Low airport costs and local support are required to sustain these operations, particularly through the low yielding months in the winter. In the absence of this support, Ryanair has no alternative but to cancel these routes and develop its business elsewhere.”

www.ryanair.com