Low-cost carrier Ryanair is set to expand its operations from the UK this winter. The airline has called for a scrap on air passenger duty (APD) describing it as, “unjustified and unfair”. The first of the new services will commence from October, with the airline operating these new services to Dubrovnik, Linz, Reggio and Sarajevo. However, despite this planned growth for the upcoming winter season, the airline has called the government of the United Kingdom to scrap ADP tax. “If the UK Govt scraps APD on all flights, Ryanair will respond with rapid traffic growth for the rest of this decade, including 1,000 new jobs, 20 new UK based aircraft (additional $2bn investment) and a 14% growth in UK traffic to 65m passengers p.a. by 2030,” said Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary. O’Leary continued: “Just as we have done in Italy, where we added three new aircraft ($300m investment) and over 20 new routes following the decision of regions, like Calabria, to scrap the Italian Municipal Tax.” The airline's CEO has also cited production delays with aircraft manufacturer Boeing as being a present challenge for the airline. Speaking with Reuters, O’Leary said: “Things are continuing to slip slightly.” He added: “We’re working closely with [COO] Stephanie Pope and the new team in Boeing, but they continue to disappoint us.” Ryanair – which is Europe’s largest Boeing customer - confirmed to the news outlet that it had received roughly half of the aircraft expected to be delivered this summer with the airline being told by Boeing that some 737 MAX deliveries would be delayed until summer 2025.
Ryanair calls for APD tax to be scrapped; expands winter network
