Ryanair Holdings Plc, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has announced significant cuts to its German operations, impacting flights to Dortmund, Dresden, Leipzig, and Hamburg, Bloomberg reports.
The airline attributes the decision to rising taxes and charges imposed by the German government, further intensifying an ongoing dispute.
The latest reductions will see Ryanair’s German traffic drop by 12%, or 1.8 million seats, next summer. This includes the complete withdrawal of flights to Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig, while Hamburg will lose 22 routes.
In a statement, Ryanair accused the German government of “unjustified” aviation taxes, security fees, and air traffic control charges. The airline has called for the immediate scrapping of aviation taxes, a reduction in air traffic control charges, and a delay in the increase of security fees to prevent further reductions in its German schedule.
This is not the first time Ryanair has voiced its frustration with German aviation costs. Similar complaints have been raised by national carrier Deutsche Lufthansa AG and budget competitor EasyJet Plc, who have also scaled back their German operations.
The move comes after Ryanair lowered its fare outlook in September, citing weaker demand during the peak summer season. The airline attributed this to slowing consumer confidence and rising inflation impacting household incomes. However, CEO Michael O’Leary has since stated that ticket-price trends have improved.
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