Tough times for Ryanair: facing a significant drop in activity, the low-cost airline has decided to withdraw from Cork and Shannon airports for the winter. As a reminder, the company had repeatedly threatened the government with leaving Irish airports. Its CEO, Michael O’Leary, had strongly criticized the anti-Covid-19 policies implemented by the state. For him, the quarantine rule sounded the death knell for airlines: a measure deemed unnecessary, while other strategies could have been implemented (such as pre-boarding tests and temperature checks) without impacting the air transport economy.
Ryanair Stands Firm and Withdraws from 2 Irish Airports
An Economic Decision Above All
As Covid-19 restrictions tighten across Ireland and Europe, Ryanair has no choice. With planes flying nearly empty, CEO Michael O’Leary had to make budget cuts… and the first victims are the least profitable bases.
Thus, Ryanair will leave Cork Airport as well as Shannon Airport. But that’s not all: airports in Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and Vienna are also affected.
“While we deeply regret these decisions, they have been forced upon us by the poor management of EU air transport by the government,” said Michael O’Leary. “We continue to focus on maintaining as broad a schedule as possible so that our planes, pilots, and cabin crew remain current and employed while minimizing job losses.”
This suspension of activity is likely to strongly impact any travel plans within Europe this winter. Airlines, meanwhile, are trying to hold on, hoping for a swift end to the crisis.
In response to this decision, the Irish government has reminded that current times require collective effort for the good of all, and that protecting the Irish population as a whole takes priority. A completely legitimate stance, but one that could shake the giants of air transport.
