Ryanair has unveiled new flight paths from Bristol Airport while urging the UK government to remove the Air Passenger Duty (APD).
- The airline’s winter schedule from Bristol includes five new destinations, raising the total to 30.
- Ryanair criticises the APD as an impediment to UK tourism, affecting regional growth.
- The airline promises expanded UK operations if the APD is abolished, including more jobs and aircraft investments.
- A slump in profit has highlighted the challenges Ryanair faces amid stringent taxes.
Ryanair has announced five new routes from Bristol Airport as part of its winter schedule, bringing its total number of destinations from this hub to 30. The new locations include Copenhagen, Fuerteventura, Marrakesh, Prague, and Tirana, providing travellers from the South West with more choices and maintaining Ryanair’s position for exceptional low-cost travel options in Europe.
The budget airline has also taken this opportunity to call on Sir Keir Starmer’s government to eliminate the ‘unfair’ Air Passenger Duty (APD), a levy applied per traveller based on their final destination. Ryanair argues that abolishing this tax would enable the airline to drive ‘ambitious growth’ across the UK, benefiting the tourism industry significantly.
Ryanair claims that by removing the APD, it could create 1,000 new UK jobs and invest in 20 additional aircraft, which represents a £2bn commitment. This expansion is anticipated to boost UK passenger traffic by 14%, reaching 65 million annually by 2030. The airline stresses the strategic importance of increasing low-cost air access, especially for regions where tourism is struggling.
Despite its growth plans and extensive operations—currently managing over 640 routes with more than 57 million passengers annually—Ryanair faces financial challenges. A recent report highlighted a 46% decrease in profit before tax, attributed to budget-conscious passengers reducing travel in the face of existing taxes.
Ryanair’s appeal to the government is part of its broader strategy to maintain and expand its competitive edge within the European tourism market. The desired tax reform is seen not only as a potential relief for airlines but as a critical step towards revitalising the UK’s tourism sector, making it competitive with European counterparts.
Ryanair’s strategic expansion comes with calls for fiscal policy changes to support its growth ambitions in the UK.