Ryanair blasts hike in Shannon passenger fees

Ryanair today criticised the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the Department of Transport for the decision to increase passenger charges at Shannon Airport by 33% from November 1.

The low-fares airline branded as "insane" the hike in charges from €9.50 to €12.65 per passenger, during a year when it said the airport's traffic is on track to fall from 2.7m to less than 1.7m.

"This is yet another Govt sponsored attack on Ireland’s declining tourism industry and will cause further devastation to traffic and tourism numbers in Shannon and the Mid West region," Ryanair said in a statement.

The airline called on the Department of Transport to order the DAA to reverse the price hike.

“Shannon Airport’s traffic in 2010 is on target to fall by 37% from 2.7m passengers, to 1.7m," CEO Michael O'Leary said.

"Already this winter Aer Lingus has announced the closure of the transatlantic routes for three months from January 2011," Mr O'Leary added.

"The Government’s €10 tourist tax has also made Shannon Airport totally uncompetitive as a gateway to the West of Ireland."

Mr O'Leary said the price hike would "further damage" Shannon’s traffic and tourism business.

"We call again on the Govt to break up the DAA monopoly and scrap the €10 tourist tax," the Ryanair boss added.