Departure tax on Ryanair flights

I refer to an article by Simon Busuttil concerning Ryanair's treatment of the changes in the air departure tax in Malta (November 12).

The following are the facts:

1. On July 11, Ryanair received notification from the Maltese government that the airport tax of €23.29 was being revoked "with effect from November 1, 2008".

2. We immediately set up the tax on our system to be discontinued from midnight, Friday, October 31 for both ticketing and travel from November 1, 2008 as requested.

3. On October 17, 2008 we then received notification from the government that this tax was in fact to be discontinued retrospectively to July for ticketing from July 11 but for travel from November 1.

4. We immediately amended our tax records on October 17 to discontinue collecting this tax for ticketing from October 17 and for travel from November 1.

Before he makes assertions about errors on Ryanair's part, Dr Busuttil should check with the Maltese government as to the exact details of communications which they sent to airlines. Ryanair has acted absolutely in accordance with the government's instructions on this matter and are very concerned at any suggestion to the contrary.

In addition, I confirm that we will refund any tax collected, in error, on those bookings made between July 11 and October 17 for flights after October 31. Passengers must apply in writing to:

Customer Service Department, PO Box 11451, Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland, Fax +353 1812 1676, enclosing evidence of the reservation and a prompt refund will be made.

While Dr Busuttil is campaigning for "consumer rights" perhaps he could take a closer look at the outrageously high fares which Air Malta are still charging as compared with the lowest guaranteed fares charged by Ryanair. Inbound tourism to Malta and air travel abroad for residents of Malta will never grow if fares are maintained at exorbitantly high levels.