Ryanair to withdraw from Brussels Airport as CEO Michael O’Leary warns of ‘extraordinarily difficult winter’

Ryanair plans to withdraw its planes from an airport in Brussels amid a row over greater fees and a brand new flight tax.

Chief government Michael O’Leary introduced the transfer at a press convention within the Belgian capital on Wednesday.

He mentioned {that a} deliberate hike in charges at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, in addition to an introduction of a flight tax, will see Ryanair transfer its two planes from the airport from the tip of this month till a minimum of March 2023.

Mr O’Leary mentioned Zaventem’s fees are between 4 and 5 occasions the quantity charged by Charleroi Airport, which is Brussels’ different main hub, situated south of town.

In April, the Belgian federal authorities launched a flight tax from €2 to €10 (£1.70 to £8.70) relying on the vacation spot.

Mr O’Leary insisted that Ryanair won’t return to Zaventem till the airport reduces its fees and the “loopy and discriminatory” flight tax is scrapped – which means the airline will axe a whole bunch of its flights till a minimum of spring.

He mentioned, as reported by Belgian newspaper De Standaard: “This winter goes to be extraordinarily difficult, with greater gas prices, so a rise in airport fees like in Zaventem isn’t sustainable.”

Mr O’Leary mentioned that Ryanair plans to maneuver its 80 workers primarily based in Zaventem to Charleroi – the place the airline has 15 planes – or different airports in neighbouring nations “at much less price”.

At the very least 60 cabin crew members and 10 pilots work for Ryanair from Brussels Airport, in accordance with Belgian broadcaster VRT.

Hans Elsen, of commerce union ACV Puls, had informed VRT: “Ryanair is working in accordance with a blackmail mannequin.

“Final week, the corporate introduced that it doesn’t agree with the federal flight tax … Ryanair is basically against this kind of tax as a result of it calls into query its enterprise mannequin.”

Mr Elsen added: “The corporate is throwing 75 households into uncertainty, they’ve misplaced their jobs right here, we are able to search for an answer.

“As most of them dwell round Brussels, Charleroi would nonetheless be possible, but when we have now to look additional, then it turns into tougher.

“Ryanair desires to make a political assertion right this moment, however that’s on the expense of those that work there.”

Final week, Ryanair mentioned it could additionally shut its base at Athens airport from the tip of October till the tip of March.

Ryanair mentioned blamed the airport operator’s “dysfunctional” charging scheme, whereas experiences counsel that the airline made the choice due to competitors from different low-cost airways.