PRESTWICK

[FDMS]

From the Herald

"Budget airline Ryanair has threatened to cut routes at Prestwick amid a
sharp downturn in aviation. The Irish no-frills operator said all 28 routes from
the Ayrshire airport were "under review" following talks held yesterday with
management to discuss performance. Maria Macken, Ryanair's UK marketing
executive said that relocating routes to other airports in Europe was a likelihood
unless further support could be offered to the airline. She blamed passenger
taxies levied by the Government for putting pressure on Ryanair's operating
costs, claiming the airline was subsidising the price of the tickets.

"We're having to lower our fares in order to get people flying. But that's
not sustainable," she said.

"If we feel we can better value elsewhere, we will do that. If we can
operate for less, we will do that. That's why we are calling for the airport and
Government to get rid of costs."

Prestwick, which along with Edinburgh is one of two Scottish bases used by
Ryanair, saw a 9.6% reduction in passenger numbers in January, compared with
the same month last year, amid a steep downturn in aviation.

While this has affected airports across the UK, Ryanair's position at
Prestwick contrasts with Edinburgh, where it last week announced the addition of 10
further European routes.

The airline has carried out a campaign against the Airport Passenger Duty
tax in the UK, which is due to increase from
£10 to £11 per flight in November."

I would have thought that PIK's charges to RYR are already a low as they can viably be!