Ryanair: Dublin Airport traffic plunges 32% in Apr-2010

Ryanair, Ireland’s favourite airline, today (16th June) called on the Irish Govt to end the crisis in Irish traffic/tourism by scrapping its €10 tourist tax and reversing the DAA’s up to 40% price increases during 2010, as it revealed that traffic at Dublin Airport fell by over 550,000 passengers in April, due to the volcanic ash disruption, but fell by more than 650,000 in the first three months of the year due to the Govt’s €10 tourist tax and high charges at the DAA monopoly airport.

Dublin Airport’s traffic is now on track to fall under 18m passengers in 2010, having already collapsed in 2009 to 20.5m from 23.5m (in 2008).

Ryanair called on Brian Cowen’s Govt to end this State sponsored destruction of Ireland’s tourism industry. At a time when many other EU countries (Holland and Belgium) have scrapped tourist taxes, or slashed airport fees (Spain) and have returned to growth, the Irish Govt’s €10 tourist tax and their imposed 40% price increase at Dublin Airport have devastated Irish traffic and tourism. Irish tourism can return to growth but only when this tourist tax is scrapped and the DAA’s price increases are reversed.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said:

“This month the excuse from the Govt for the collapse in traffic at Ireland’s gateway airport will be much easier than the usual lies about it being an ‘international phenomenon’ – they will just blame the volcano. But even an unprecedented natural disaster can not compete with the disastrous effect the Govt’s €10 tourist tax has had on Irish tourism. While the volcano caused the loss of over 550,000 passengers in April, the Govt’s €10 tax and high charges at the DAA monopoly trumps that number with over 650,000 passengers lost in the first three months of the year.

“The solution to Ireland’s tourism crisis is clear. The Govt must now scrap the €10 tourist tax and reverse the DAA’s 40% price increases in 2010. It is extraordinary that Dublin Airport is losing over 650,000 passengers in Q1 when Ryanair continues to grow. Ryanair has offered to grow routes and traffic into Ireland but the DAA couldn’t be bothered to even talk to us about it. It’s time to axe the €10 tourist tax and break up the DAA monopoly as well.”