Ryanair has called on Austria's new government to bolster the country's post-COVID transport and economic recovery by abolishing the current aviation tax, which stands at €12 ($14) per passenger, and by reducing airport fees.
The Irish carrier announced that, should these changes be implemented, it plans to invest $1bn to increase Austrian passenger traffic from the current seven million to 12 million annually by 2030. This investment would include stationing ten additional 737 MAX aircraft in Austria.
Ryanair said that these proposals were presented to the country's new Transport Minister, Peter Hanke, on June 12.
“If the new minister does not seize this growth opportunity – as his predecessor failed to do – Ryanair will have no choice but to reduce the number of flights in Austria, as the market has become so unattractive that growth and investment will be concentrated on other European countries with lower costs and lower taxes. will be relocated,” said Ryanair boss Micheal O'Leary,
The airline also highlighted that this initiative would create 300 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and technicians in Austria.
Ryanair pointed to its recent $200 million investment in Sweden following the abolition of its aviation tax, which resulted in the addition of two aircraft, ten new routes, and 60 new jobs.