Low-cost carrier Ryanair announced yesterday in a press release that it would be leaving Northern Ireland. From October 30, you will have to use another airline to reach destinations such as Belfast. A decision which will have a direct impact on Belfast airport, but also on Northern Irish and European travellers, who are used to flying regularly with the airline with the blue and yellow logo.
The final blow has fallen: Ryanair will no longer operate in Northern Ireland. Having already abandoned Derry airport a few months ago, the company has now decided to do the same for Belfast airport.
For them, this decision was motivated by several factors. To begin with, the Covid-19 crisis is said to have cost the company colossal sums of money. Hence the need to restructure and cut costs.
Added to this would be“the UK government’s refusal to suspend or reduce ADP (airline ticket tax) and the lack of incentives for Belfast airports to recover from Covid“.
According to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, Boris Johnson’s government is primarily responsible for this decision. The lack of flexibility on ADPs, and the policy pursued by Belfast airport, would make Ryanair’s presence on the Northern Irish tarmac far too costly.
The aircraft that were based in Northern Ireland will be relocated to lower-cost airports in the UK and Europe for the winter season starting in November”, said Ryanair.
Belfast Airport, for its part, was disappointed by the decision, but said it had anticipated the news and had already approached other airlines to ensure the continuity of flights previously operated by Ryanair.
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