Ryanair seeks to gain from easyJet shutting German base
Ryanair is seeking to capitalise on the news that rival budget carrier easyJet is to close its Hamburg base next year by launching €9.99 ‘rescue fares’, which it claims are ‘to accommodate’ customers affected by easyJet’s move.
The fares must be booked by this evening (Thursday) and are available for flights up to December 15.
However, easyJet said on Tuesday that the closure of its Hamburg base will not affect any flights, it is not proposing to axe any routes and anyway it will not shut until the end of the next winter season.
EasyJet opened its Hamburg base in March 2014, but it said it had decided not to base aircraft and crew at the German airport from next summer due to its strategy of focusing on its core European airports.
Ryanair has had two aircraft based at Hamburg since last November. It operates daily flights to Manchester and a twice daily service to London Stansted.
Ryanair’s chief commercial officer David O’Brien said: "We look forward to growing our Hamburg routes, traffic and jobs and will continue discussions with Hamburg Airport over potential new routes, underlining our commitment to the Hamburg region, while other airlines – who cannot compete with our low fares – reduce traffic and retreat."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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