Author Topic: Ryanair says Greek Government ignored attempts to reduce airport taxes  (Read 4211 times)

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Offline BeeTee

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Ryanair says Greek Government ignored attempts to reduce airport taxes
« on: Tuesday, 20 September, 2016 @ 22:21:36 »
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Budget airline Ryanair has accused the Greek government of ignoring its attempts to talk about reducing airport taxes in the low season in return for increased flights.

Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, David O’Brien, told Euronews Greek airport departure taxes are so high that the carrier is going to stop flying altogether to Kos next year and will reduce flights to other islands.

O’Brien said they had pledged to bring an additional five million passengers to Greece if there was a reduction in the taxes: “The main problem really is airport prices and airport taxes in Greece. We have written several times, more than 20 times, to various Greek ministers, not just this government, to the previous government, and they are perfectly entitled to disagree with us, we did not get any answer I might add. Therefore we decided ‘let’s not waste our time’.”

He pointed out that on a ticket price of 43 euros, tax of 40 euros – the amount for Athens airport – made no sense.

The Greek Culture Minister Elena Kountoura said she did respond and told the airline it was a matter for the finance and transport ministries.

By contrast Ryanair said after it recently petitioned Rome, the Italian government dropped a planned increase in airport departure taxes and as a consequence the airline will base more planes there next year with increased passenger numbers and jobs. 

http://www.euronews.com/2016/09/20/ryanair-says-greek-government-ignored-attempts-to-negotiate-reduced-airport

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: Ryanair says Greek Government ignored attempts to reduce airport taxes
« Reply #1 on: Thursday, 22 September, 2016 @ 09:40:33 »
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Next year, we will remove from the market between 106000-107000 positions, mainly to start slower routes ... The main problem, in fact is the airport prices and airport charges in Greece. We have written several times, more than 20 times, in different Greek ministers, not only this government but previous governments. They have every right to disagree with us, but we must add that we have not received any answer. So, we decided not to waste our time. By contrast, the Italian Government, this year, withdrew mistakes made in taxes (en communication means for increasing municipal taxes) and we will add the following year, three million additional passengers in Italy. "
Kefalonia Press

Ryanair say they will reduce flights to Kefalonia by 11%, resulting in 5,400 less passengers.

Offline HiFi

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Re: Ryanair says Greek Government ignored attempts to reduce airport taxes
« Reply #2 on: Thursday, 22 September, 2016 @ 18:57:47 »
So Easyjet gain 5400 passengers?