Ryanair cuts Sweden flights
Swedes living in Malta have given a frosty reception to news that there will only be one direct flight per week to Sweden this winter.
Ryanair, the sole carrier that operates direct winter flights between Malta and Sweden, will only fly to/from Stockholm Skavsta on Sundays from November 11.
It currently also flies to/from Stockholm Skavsta on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“Many Swedish people living in Malta rely on Ryanair to get home so this will hit us hard,” said Robert Larsson, part of the burgeoning population of Swedes working in online gaming in Malta.
Mr Larsson said many Swedes liked to travel home for a few days , but this would no longer be possible with Ryanair. He also expressed concern that a reduction in capacity would push up fares, though there were many winter return flights to/from Stockholm Skavsta available for less than €100 on the Ryanair website yesterday.
Ryanair had introduced flights between Malta and Malmo in Sweden last May, but the Ryanair website carried a message yesterday saying, “Sorry, but we don’t operate the route Malmo-Malta at the moment.”
SAS Scandinavian Airlines operates its Malta-Stockholm route via Frankfurt in winter with return fares generally in excess of €400.
Ryanair Malta marketing manager Luis Fernandez-Mellado said the decision to reduce capacity on the Stockholm Skavsta route this winter was taken because of the “huge increase” in oil prices and “weak demand”.
He added that Ryanair’s forecast for the success of even one flight per week between Malta and Stockholm was not very optimistic, but it decided not to stop flights altogether because of the large community of Swedish expats in Malta and the opportunity to develop the market for Scandinavian tourists out of peak season.
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41 Comments
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M Darmanin
Sep 24th 2012, 23:58
Easyjet have totally stopped their Rome Ciampino and Milan flights as of 1st and 2nd September .... nothing has been said why ?? isnt Easyjet a low cost airline as well?? Its only Ryanair's 'wrong' doings that we hear about when it is a known fact that many maltese people have more than started going abroad thanks to the introduction of low cost airlines.
Gustav Svensson
Sep 24th 2012, 16:07
Well one flight per week isn't bad. It's logical that Ryan adjust the flights to match the demand..more ppl want to fly to Malta in summer so they have more flights..And there are endless options to go to Sweden via connection flights...
R. Caruana
Sep 28th 2012, 19:57
Except they cost 4x as much
Anthony Arpa
Sep 24th 2012, 07:03
I have always wished to have a holiday in Sweden ... and though the flights by Ryanair was quit Good and reasonable prised ,hotels and the cost of living in Sweden are soooooooooooooooo expensive ... Sure that Ryan Air is stopping flights to Sweden only a he sees that there is not a reasonable demand .. A good airline wont works with loss ... Only those Airlines were the Citizens make good with their taxes for their losses will continue flying with a loss ....
George Chapman
Sep 23rd 2012, 21:07
Oh well guys that 's how it is in the winter period. Malta is a tourist summer destination not an all year round substantialy profitable destination. We have to accept that. Ryan Air is trying to run a profitable business to their own advantance. Why do you think British Airways pulled out of Malta?? Thank Air Malta for still flying routes that are not served by other carriers and for still providing a full service as a national carrier.An airline we should be proud of because it ticks more boxes than any other airline that flies to Malta.
Victor Vella
Sep 23rd 2012, 20:26
Ryanair is feeling the pinch like Air Malta. Today Sweden, Tomorrow what else?
Jessica Smith
Sep 23rd 2012, 18:27
Shows why these low-cost carriers are unreliable.
Why should we continue to subsidize them some €25 per passenger when we have to ask permission from the €U commissionto subsidize AirMalta from our own money?
M Darmanin
Sep 23rd 2012, 18:10
So it is not viable .... at least its been reduced to once a week. Ryanair still beats all the airlines landing at our airport, I just dont know why they havent opened to Rome Ciampino ... so than we see how many use Airmalta. Useless are the efforts by Airmalta unless prices go down you will not attract who has had the pleasure of using low cost airlines ..... eg 90euros one way for Paris and 67 euros one way for Marseille was the latest advert, ...... Well Ryanair was flying for 16euros one way for Marseille in December. If I wanted to go to Paris it would cost me 82euros from Malta to Marseille, train to Paris with return included .... compared to the 90euros ONE way of airmalta.
So Good old Ryanair cut on the frequency as needed but dont cut on the bargain prices you offer :)
Jessica Smith
Sep 23rd 2012, 18:29
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/spain-ireland-investigate-ryanair-flight-diversion-163521876--finance.html
Spain, Ireland to investigate Ryanair flight diversion
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/09/18/uk-ryanair-safety-idUKBRE88H0ZO20120918
Spain, Ireland to investigate Ryanair flight diversion
Francis Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2012, 14:45
STORY REPEATS ITSELF. For now only one flight a week. Later no flights at all like what happened to the flight for Bremen in Germany
Tonio Bone
Sep 23rd 2012, 15:38
Francis, if there is no profit no flight. Air Malta spent years operating flights at a loss! Which makes more business sense to you? This is not a case of getting emotional, its just down to pounds, shillings and pence as they used to say! Its all about the bottom line and having a ruthless yet profitable business model!
This is something out politicians should have realised and come to terms with ages ago. Air Malta could be in a much better situation today had they not taken their usual unprofessional and highly patronizing stance.....something they tend to do with everything they stick their fingers into!
Asta Peterson
Sep 23rd 2012, 13:56
Thats alright RyanAir no problem weshall in the future the EXPENSIVE AIRLINE AirMalta, besides there aren't many of us Swedes in Malta left, all returning back to our homeland and some to Spain.
Anthony Arpa
Sep 23rd 2012, 13:17
This is not a new thing .. .All the other Airlines do this during the off season .... Now those was using Ryanair for Sweden flight must fly as they use to do before Ryanair starts operating from Malta ... Sweet and Short ...
For many Ryanair are not good .... So why all this fuss ....
Alexander Hilton
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:43
It is always the same story: People claiming that a flight is so important to them and their community, but at the end of the day they are neither using it nor are they prepared to pay for them. The problem is, if you turn on the engines you burn the money , and if load factor and average yield are not sufficient, the route will be axed. Thats why Ryanair is making a profit, and other airlines (most likely including Airmalta) running a loss. Furthermore, it is to assume that studies carried out by Ryanair have shown that most Swedes go home for a week and prefer Sunday as a day of travel. And that a Sunday flight maybe sustainable. If it isn't it will be rightfully axed. And if you think that Airmalta in future will sustain loss making routes, you can think again. These times surely are over. And in my experience, a market that is not workable with Ryanair will likely not work for any other Airline either.
Mr Stephen Borg
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:20
Let us be fair do you expect Ryanair to continue to fly the route in a low season. Flying it's aircraft with empty seats and loosing money. They cut the flights fown because in low season the demand goes down and with the current fuel prices no airline would be forthcoming to operate empty flights.
Harry Cameron
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:14
Flight reductions happen every winter at each airport from which Ryanair operates. It's a simple economic fact that fewer people take holiday breaks in the autumn/winter season so what Ryanair are doing is adjusting supply to perceived demand.. In all probability the flights being lost will be reintroduced next spring.
Ronnie Callus
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:11
Dawk huma l-kumpaniji Privati . L-ewwel ma' jaraw l-interessi taghhom u mhux tal-pajjiz jew cittadin. Hu hsieb sur Gvern li l-Airmalta li-.nbnied b'tant saggrifficcji nzommuha akkost ta' kollox ghax dik hi l-ghixien taghna l-Maltin.
Tonio Bone
Sep 23rd 2012, 11:54
AIR MALTA needs to work its way back into these markets. It needs to be cynical and shrewd. It needs to supply the service were service is sustainable and profitable. It needs to move away from 'a state-run model' and concentrate on a 'profit at all costs model'. It needs to be 'lean and mean'! It needs to make financial sense first and be the national airline second! It needs to become modern, agile, fresh and efficient!
The is NO ONE in Malta (on a citizen perspective level) that wants to see AIR MALTA fail! Some people may have an agenda, but the general public is very proud of our airline. We just want it to be successful!
Shawn Abela
Sep 23rd 2012, 13:35
Well said.
Charles Cremona
Sep 23rd 2012, 11:26
The minute Ryan Air stop making a profit on a route they will stop it and they will have no hesitation of pulling out of Malta alltogether if profits fall. That's how RyanAir operate, that's why Air Malta has to be saved at all costs because we cannot rely on a second rate outfit like Ryan Air.
Tonio Bone
Sep 23rd 2012, 11:50
Charles because that is their business model, and that is why they have been so financially successful! Ruthless? Yes! Successful? Definitely!
AIR MALTA needs to fill these shoes and make this part of its strategy to regain market and become viable! Air Malta will know how many people have traveled in Ryan Air so they can regulate accordingly giving people that commute this destination regularly a good package!
Ryan Air is not state run so they do not have to put up with bureaucrats and what have you! They are in it for the money, period! STEP UP AIR MALTA!
Charles Cremona
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:21
Tonio Bone: In other words Tonio, you want Air Malta to become a second rate airline, one that charges for a piece of luggage and a cup of coffee and shortly for using the toilet. That's not the way forward, the way forward is a quality service which is reliable and comfortable.
Tonio Bone
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:45
Not what I wrote Charles. I meant AIR MALTA need to exploit markets such as destination Sweden! I did not write AIR MALTA needs to become a low-cost airline or follow Ryan Air's business model! It is a given that there is a consistent amount of commuters using this route that now will find a void or that will need to take two flights to get to Sweden. I wrote AIR MALTA should entice these people and exploit this void in the market by providing the 'right package' which would mean preferential rates for advanced booking, as well as the customary warm service our air crews provide! There was nothing in my writing or between the lines that suggested AIR MALTA's way forward is 'low-cost'!
AIR MALTA is and will never be a second rate airline, however, it is definitely not a money making airline!
Alexander Hilton
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:50
Charles, I am sorry, but I am not willing to pay for your coffee. I think it is grossly unjust that I pay for your coffee, your luggage and other useless gimmicks, whilst I myself do not usually need any of these. Neither do I think that taxes should be invested in an airline. And you are mistaken if you say you cannot rely on Ryanair. You can a 100% rely on Ryanair. They operate a route as long as the customers support it, if their is insufficient support they will axe it. And if you are a fan of Qality service, you should start improving Arriva and various government offices. At least that would make sense for a lot of citizens, not just the priviliged few. And what happens when there is no alternative, we can see at Virtuferries, whom we can thank that many people cannot get out of Malta during the summer due to the high monopolists fares.
Alexander Hilton
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:52
@ Tonio , if Air Malta is going to be profitable in the future, they should take the message that Ryanair was unable to make Sweden work, so if it does not work low cost there is a good chance it won't work at all. Its just to far, to cold, to few.
Joe Busuttil
Sep 23rd 2012, 13:13
So some LCA charge you for hold luggage (not hand luggage) and a meal (but not for using the toilet). Air Malta will not charge you for hold luggage (it charges you to book online) or for the meal. But has there to be a difference of up to 200 Euros difference for a return trip to Gatwick? Looks a bit too much for 20K luggage and a third rate meal, I think. I have never used Ryan Air,but I have used Easyjet. All I can say is that it is definitely not a second rate outfit. It even sends you a survey to fill in after your flight asking you to say if the service was to your satisfaction and if not why.
Tonio Bone
Sep 23rd 2012, 16:02
@ Alex Hilton. I did base my rationale on the part of the article that said “Many Swedish people living in Malta rely on Ryanair to get home so this will hit us hard,” said Robert Larsson, part of the burgeoning population of Swedes working in online gaming in Malta.
Ryanair will move around its airplanes to destinations that are in demand so yes, if they feel that an aircraft can be better utilised elsewhere they just do it! This logical/logistical reasoning does not happen only to the Maltese market. Ryanair will cancel scheduled flights on any route they deem to be weak enough to be replaced by another! That is why they are profitable and Air Malta is not!
Gorg Sciberras
Sep 23rd 2012, 10:28
There is also a small Maltese community in Sweden which is going to be hard hit with this decision. Whenever I have travelled on this route (In summer, spring and winter) flights have always been full so I really cannot understand the reasoning. Are they looking for more government support knowing that there is demand for these flights?
C Cassar
Sep 23rd 2012, 11:27
The reason is that people expect to pay €50-90 for a return flight incl taxes which is simply not sustainable. That's the reason why many of these routes will now be axed, with many more to follow.
Alexander Hilton
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:54
Average Yield. Its a very long route. So Yield Factor must be good. Full flight at 16 Euros are insufficient to carry the costs. You need some people prepared to pay more for their seats. So Ryanair might gets the flight full but if they do not get the yield up, its not workable.
Anne Armstrong
Sep 23rd 2012, 10:21
It is also with sadness that people living in the east midlands will not have their flights from east midlands airport now that Bmibaby have stopped flying. please bring back flights from east midlands. would Ryan Air or air malta consider this route?
Alexander Hilton
Sep 23rd 2012, 12:56
Go to Birmingham.
M Cachia
Sep 23rd 2012, 13:16
I second that motion - I've been trying to get Monarch's position on the subject too wih no luck!
George Chapman
Sep 23rd 2012, 21:14
I agree with you Anne. Ryan Air will never consider this route so forget it. I just hope that one day in the future Air Malta will do extra or charter flights from there as they do from most regional airports in the UK. If you live in the UK get hold of Malta Direct on line. They organise good priced flights from regional airports in the UK to Mlata.
George Joseph Cauchi
Sep 23rd 2012, 10:20
The end result of gimmicks.
David Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2012, 10:07
Also , flights to edinburgh this coming winter is once a week. with RYAN AIR
Paul Caruana
Sep 23rd 2012, 09:54
Actually it is very easy to get a Malta - Frankfurt - Stockholm flight using AirMalta/Lufthhansa/SAS.....but obviously such a connection is more expensive than the ryanair flight.
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Sep 23rd 2012, 09:51
Wel done to ryanair for introducing flights to torino italy.
stephen debono
Sep 23rd 2012, 10:58
X` ghandu x` jaqsam torino ma dan l- artiklu fejn qed jitkellem fuq il- flights tar ryanair lejn sweden? LOL
George Chapman
Sep 23rd 2012, 21:23
As Stephen Debono said, Who's talking about Torino??? Torino>> You fly to Milan, Venenice or Bologna if you want to go the mountains. BUT hello? we're taliking about Sweden which affects alot of Swedish nationals living in our country.
Charles Micallef
Sep 23rd 2012, 09:50
NOW we perhaps realise that Ryanair also has it good points and advantages!
Please choose the reason of your report below: