Ryanair Reduces UK, Ireland Routes in Favor of Spain

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair announced on Thursday that it will continue to cut flights/traffic at high cost, tourist tax airports in the UK and Ireland and switch aircraft/traffic to EU countries and airports that offer no tourist taxes and lower airport costs.

In the last week Ryanair announced 43 new Spanish routes that will bring 2.4 million new passengers, create 2,400 new jobs and deliver a visitor spend of over $516.8 million to Spain.

Ryanair’s big expansion is due to Spain’s zero tourist taxes and the 100 percent discount on airport charges for traffic growth this winter. This contrasts with the capacity reductions Ryanair has announced in the UK and Ireland where airport charges at Dublin and Stansted are increasing and the Irish and UK Governments impose tourist taxes of €10 ($14.36) and £10 ($16.75), respectively.