Ryanair plans to cut its passenger numbers through Shannon Airport from two million to a mere 750,000 due to the Government’s controversial airport tax, according to a special report in today's Irish Examiner newspaper.The airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said the reduction — brought on by the €10 departure tax announced in the budget — would doom the mid-west airport. He said while Ryanair was to account for 60% of Shannon’s traffic this year, next year it would cut the number of aircraft based there from four to one, with the loss of 100 Ryanair jobs.
“You will see tumbleweed rolling across the ground at Shannon,” said Mr O’Leary. “This travel tax has been badly thought out and the Government will effectively be responsible for closing Shannon Airport.” The airport said it was in communication with all carriers at Shannon on a continuing basis, including Ryanair, and would maintain that approach.
Meanwhile, Ryanair has announced the closure of its base in Valencia. The company has said it has already received several enquiries from elsewhere in Europe and will be opening an office at an alternative location in the near future. Closing its base in Valencia has resulted in the loss of 750 jobs and 70 weekly flights, the company stated.
