Ryanair: €10 tax more damaging to Dublin Airport traffic than ash cloud

Irish airline Ryanair has hit out at the Government’s controversial €10 travel tax today, saying that it has had a worse impact on Dublin Airport traffic than the recent ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano.

“This month the excuse from the Government for the collapse in traffic at Ireland’s gateway airport will be much easier than usual – they will just blame the volcano,” said Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara.

“But even an unprecedented natural disaster cannot compete with the disastrous effect the Government’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 Government 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.”