Ryanair has unveiled five new routes from Bristol Airport, enhancing connectivity for the South West.
- The low-cost airline urges the UK government to abolish the Air Passenger Duty (APD), labelling it as ‘unfair’.
- New destinations from Bristol include Copenhagen, Marrakesh, Prague, Fuerteventura, and Tirana.
- Ryanair warns that APD hampers UK tourism competitiveness against European rivals.
- Scrapping the tax could lead to significant investment and job creation in the UK.
Ryanair has introduced five new flight routes from Bristol Airport, increasing its total offerings from this key regional hub to 30 routes. This expansion includes strategic destinations such as Copenhagen, Marrakesh, Prague, Fuerteventura, and Tirana, promising a broader choice for travellers in the South West seeking low-cost travel options. Jade Kirwan of Ryanair highlighted these routes as part of the airline’s Winter 2024 schedule, emphasising the availability of the lowest airfares in Europe for its customers.
The airline has concurrently called upon the government led by Sir Keir Starmer to abolish the Air Passenger Duty (APD), describing this levy as an impediment to growth. Ryanair argues that APD, applied per traveller based on the destination, places an undue financial burden on UK airports and travellers, consequently disadvantaging them in comparison with their EU counterparts. The airline believes that removing APD could unlock the potential for ‘ambitious growth’ across the UK’s air travel sector throughout the remainder of the decade.
Ryanair has pledged concrete actions should APD be repealed, including the creation of 1,000 new jobs and the addition of 20 aircraft to UK airports, representing a substantial investment of £2 billion. This move is projected to expand UK traffic by 14%, reaching 65 million passengers annually by 2030. The airline underscores the importance of fostering cost-effective air connectivity, especially for regions currently experiencing stagnation in tourism growth.
Operating over 640 routes within and out of the UK, Ryanair reports carrying more than 57 million passengers yearly on its 117 UK-based aircraft. Despite these robust numbers, the airline noted a 46% drop in pretax profit to €401m for the quarter ending June 30, attributing the decline to cautious spending habits among passengers.
Ryanair remains steadfast in its commitment to bolstering UK tourism by advocating for significant policy changes that could enhance the sector’s competitive stance within Europe, thereby promoting economic growth.
Ryanair’s strategic expansion at Bristol and its call for the abolition of APD underline its commitment to fostering growth in UK tourism.
