Tax blamed for airline seat capacity fall

THE Government’s €10 travel tax has been blamed for Dublin emerging as the worst airport in Europe in an analysis of seat capacity.

According to airline analysts anna.aero the summer 2010 season, which begins at the end of March, will see airline seat capacity in Europe rise by almost 5% but capacity in Dublin is expected to fall by 9%, making it the worst performer among the 20 European airports surveyed. Also among European Union countries, Ireland is to have the steepest decline in seat volume this summer at -13%.

Bloxham analyst Joe Gill said the decline is a response from airlines to the recession, higher airport charges and the “Slán abhaile tax” or €10 travel tax.