Ryanair reduces Sweden services

Low-fare airline Ryanair is to cut back on services to Sweden because of a proposed new flight tax, it was announced today.

From October 28, the Irish no-frills carrier will scrap its twice-daily service between Stockholm-Vasteras and Luton.

Also, on the same day, Ryanair will reduce its Malmo-Sturup to Stansted service from twice a day to once a day and cut its Gothenburg City Airport to Prestwick in Scotland service from five flights a week to three.

Ryanair said the Swedish government’s proposed tax would effectively add a further 30% to the average cost of its fares.

Ryanair deputy chief executive Michael Cawley added: “The Swedish government is destroying low fare travel for Swedes and for those people who want to visit this beautiful country by attempting to push up the average cost of Ryanair’s fares by over 30%.

“The introduction of this tax will make Swedish tourism uncompetitive when compared with cheaper alternatives in Spain, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.”