Ryanair presses for lower airport fees

Low-cost airline Ryanair has again criticised Malta’s airport taxes, saying they are too high and are actually hindering the tourism industry.

The airline, which predicts it will increase its European traffic by 15 per cent over the coming year, said that Italy and Spain would respectively account for 50 per cent and 35 per cent of this growth simply because they were addressing their airport costs.

Bari and Brindisi have been added to the airline’s list of Italian bases. Additionally, 39 new routes to the Canary Islands have been introduced due to reduced airport costs.

Ryanair urged Malta to follow the lead of these countries in order to boost passenger numbers and generate more jobs. The airline said that if such action was taken, it would immediately help to reverse Malta’s declining tourism trend.

Spokesman Colin Casey said: “High airport costs are preventing increased tourism and jobs for Malta and a reduction in charges will deliver increased tourism and increased jobs”.