Ryanair News

 
News Release
21.01.10

Daa Airport Monopoly Confirm 40% Price Rises From 2009 as Traffic Falls 15%

AND ALL AIRLINES CUT CAPACITY AT HIGH COST DUBLIN AIRPORT

Ryanair, today (21 Jan) responded to the false claims and spin of the Dublin Airport monopoly in response to today’s announcement that Ryanair will cut its traffic at Dublin Airport by 20% this Summer.

 
Ryanair said the DAA can lie, but they can’t hide the truth, which is as follows:
 
  1. At a Dublin Airport User Consultation meeting yesterday, the DAA confirmed its intention to increase prices by 40% from €7.39 per pax to €10.44 per pax over the coming 12 months, using the opening of the white elephant T2 as the excuse for these 40% price hikes.
  2. The DAA cannot explain why traffic at Dublin fell by 15% or 3 million passengers in 2009, during a year when Ryanair grew by 13% (up 7m passengers) and Aer Lingus grew by 4% (up 400,000 passengers). Why if the DAA’s charges are low as they claim, is Dublin Airport losing passengers, at a time when Ryanair and Aer Lingus are growing?
  3. When the recent Airports Council International Report (which DAA is a member of)  confirmed that 94% of European airports reduced their charges in 2009, why is the DAA increasing its already high charges by 40%, making Dublin Airport one of the most expensive airports in Europe (after Heathrow)?
  4. Finally, the Dublin Airport monopoly should explain why it is increasing passenger fees by 40%, when its current (January) capacity shows a seat capacity decline of 16%, with all airlines including Ryanair, Aer Lingus BMI and B.A. reducing capacity and traffic or withdrawing services altogether.



Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:
 
“It is time for the DAA monopoly to stop telling lies about its declining traffic and rising charges and admit that it is an inefficient, high cost, protected Govt monopoly, which is destroying Irish air traffic and tourism by raising charges by 40%, at a time of record traffic and tourism losses in Ireland.
 
“It’s time the DAA monopoly was broken up, since competing terminals is the only way to end the shameful price gouging behaviour of the Govt owned and protected Dublin Airport monopoly, which is destroying Irish air transport and tourism.”

 
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