Ryanair Waves Goodbye to Cardiff
RYANAIR ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF DUBLIN - CARDIFF ROUTE
Ryanair, Europe's leading low fares airline, today (April 25, 2006) announced the cessation of its service from Dublin to Cardiff and the transfer of these services to Bristol International Airport with effect from Monday next, 1 May.
Ryanair's five-year agreement with Cardiff Airport was due for renewal on that date but the airport has insisted on increasing its passenger charges by over 350%. In addition, the airport has reneged on elements of its current contract and is attempting to force Ryanair to pay extra charges for services which were covered under that contract.
Announcing the decision, Ryanair's Deputy Chief Executive Michael Cawley said: "Cardiff Airport is pricing itself out of the low fares market. Cost increases of the order of 350% belong to an era when the lowest air fare from Ireland to the UK was €250.
"Ryanair has a wide choice of competitive airports available to it and, with effect from Monday next, 1 May, we will be transferring these services to Bristol International Airport and, for those flights up to 10 May, Ryanair will provide coach services between the two airports.
"In addition, we will be offering refunds to any passengers who have already booked on these Cardiff flights and who don't wish to travel to Bristol. We very much regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers but we are not prepared to tolerate these levels of cost increase on their behalf from airports whose only interest seems to be to gouge passengers with extortionate price increases."
Cardiff Airport replied:
Cardiff – Dublin services
Cardiff International Airport has become the latest in a string of airports to come under attack from Ryanair – in March it was Ireland’s Cork Airport; earlier in April, Stansted was in their sights.
Statements by the airline about their contract with Cardiff International Airport are incorrect but they are renowned for taking up such positions and have done this with a number of airports in the UK and their native Ireland.
In fact, charges proposed by Cardiff International were less than the average that Ryanair publicly admits it pays across Europe.
Dublin-bound passengers left in the lurch by Ryanair need not worry. Award-winning airline Aer Arann have this evening confirmed that they will take over the lucrative 180,000 passengers-a-year Cardiff-Dublin route with a twice-daily service from next week. Fares from £19.99 one way including taxes will be offered on Aer Arann’s new service..
Aer Arann have already taken over Cardiff-Cork, announced new services to Lorient and is expected to announce a Cardiff – Galway service tomorrow.