Ryanair to cut Shannon winter flights by 66%

RYANAIR is shedding almost two-thirds of its capacity at Shannon this winter, and is also cutting flights at Cork and Dublin.

This could result in an indirect loss of about 400 jobs at Dublin Airport, according to Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary.

As well as a 17% cut in Cork and 61% in Shannon, Ryanair is cutting its Dublin winter capacity by 15%, blaming the Government’s air passenger tax as well as increased airport costs.

It will cut its Dublin base to 12 aircraft from 14 this winter and will operate less than 850 weekly flights from the airport compared with 1,000 last winter, it said.

The airline said it will switch aircraft to other EU states, where they can avail of reduced airport charges.

Mr O’Leary said the final cost from the ash cloud crisis could come to €50m.

Ryanair also called on the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to transfer its new Terminal Two to NAMA.

Mr O’Leary said T2 “was the single most reckless, expensive and unnecessary property development of the entire Celtic Tiger years”.

“T2 is the most perfect example of Ireland’s recent property bubble. It is badly designed, badly located, massively oversized and effectively bankrupt.”

The DAA hit back, saying it is the airline’s business model and the wider economic position that has contributed to its decision to withdraw some services.

The DAA also said T2 is a “key element of strategic national infrastructure that will be used by passengers for the next half century”.

Ryanair also plans to hang on to its near 30% stake in Aer Lingus, adding that the Government will likely ask it to rescue the airline.