Idunno - Southwest is very relevant to this discussion, as it's the Southwest business model that FR follow.
I do have to admit that you're right about MO'L being a bit of a chancer with the unilateral 50% cut of the airport charges - is this going to apply only at Aer Rianta airports (where the two of them get on like cat and dog at the best of times) or is it going to be everywhere?
That said, you might like to compare a couple of rates I just happen to have to hand here for Cork and Manchester:
Cork
Landing fee per tonne: IEP4.04 (approx GBP3.20)
Passenger facility charge (per pax): IEP 7.23 (approx GBP5.75)
Manchester
Landing fee per tonne: GBP7.99
Passenger facility charge (per pax): GBP4.20
So, a B737 with an MTOW of 55 tonnes and say 100 pax would cost GBP751 at ORK and GBP859 at MAN. I really can't see what he's got to gripe about with Aer Rianta!
mjenkinsblackdog - ummm, I'm not quite sure why you think I'm 'on pilot's backs' on this particular matter - we're talking about airport charges and Ryanair copying Southwest! Do please let me know what and for whom you fly, so I can avoid that airline/type like the plague...
