Ryanair has announced that it will reduce its winter 2023/2024 schedule at Dublin Airport in response to higher passenger charges. The airline has canceled 17 routes and relocated 19 aircraft

to other European airports that incentivize quieter, lower-emission planes.

Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson stated that this reduction equates to roughly a 10% decrease in passenger numbers compared to the previous year at Dublin Airport.

The decision to cut routes and aircraft relocation was attributed to Dublin Airport operator DAA's increasing passenger charges by 45%, mismanagement of capital expenditures, and failure to provide an environmental incentive scheme that rewards airlines with lower-emission aircraft.

Ryanair criticized DAA's three-billion-euro capital expenditure program, which includes "unnecessary vanity projects" that, according to the airline, would not benefit passengers. They cited the example of the 250 million euro cargo tunnel, which Ryanair deemed superfluous and replaceable with a cost-effective alternative. Ryanair called for DAA to focus on expanding terminals one and two at Dublin Airport for passenger and connectivity growth.

Ryanair noted that the 19 aircraft moved to other airports are part of its environmentally friendly Boeing 737 8200 fleet, which reduces noise by 40% and CO2 emissions by 16% while accommodating 4% more passengers per flight.

Ryanair emphasized that DAA's approach lacks incentives for airlines to invest in lower-emission aircraft and called for the implementation of growth incentives and lower charges to attract airlines. They referenced Germany's low air traffic recovery following increased charges as a potential outcome in Ireland.

Ryanair will relocate the 19 aircraft to Luton and various European airports, including those in Spain and Italy. While no immediate job losses are anticipated, the airline will assess the situation for the following summer. Ryanair also called for modulated charges at airports to make higher-polluting airlines pay more, urging the Irish Minister for Transport and Environment to act on this issue. Photo by Tonkie, Wikimedia commons.