Ryanair scales back Vienna operations following Wizz Air exit
Ryanair, announced that it will remove 3 based aircraft and close 3 routes (Billund, Santander & Tallin) from Vienna for Winter ’25.
The airline explains that it is due to Austria’s punitive €12 Aviation Tax and excessive Vienna airport fees. In its summer timetable, Ryanair offers 76 routes out of Vienna. It also flies from Klagenfurt and Linz (3 destinations) as well as Salzburg (2 destinations).
Ryanair highlights that taxes rocketed by 30% since Covid – damaging Austria’s competitiveness as a destination, compared to lower cost EU countries like Sweden, Hungary, and regional Italy. All of whom are scrapping aviation taxes, and cutting airport fees to grow traffic and tourism.
Despite Ryanair’s continued investment in Austria (160% growth since Covid), Austrian air traffic has failed to recover its pre-Covid traffic levels (currently at 98%). This is due to harmfully high and uncompetitive access costs, which are damaging Austria’s tourism, economy, and jobs, tells the airline.
“Vienna’s ridiculously high access costs, including Austria’s harmful Aviation Tax of €12 per passenger has forced Ryanair to switch 3 aircraft and cancel 3 routes in Vienna for Winter ’25. Austria remains one of the few EU countries (like Germany) that has still failed to recover its pre-Covid traffic. This is despite Ryanair’s rapid growth in Austria since 2019 (+160%). This includes the addition of 4 new routes to/ from Salzburg and Linz this Winter.” said Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary.
Ryanair counter-proposal
As usual, Ryanair is making a counter-proposal to the government. It explains that if Austria abolishes the €12 tax and lowers airport fees, the airline will be ready to deliver an ambitious US$1 billion growth proposal for the country.
Ryanair speaks of growing traffic to 12 million passengers per year (+70%). And to also base 10 new “Next-Gen” Boeing 8-200 aircraft in Vienna by 2030. The airline would then add over 40 new routes, many at regional airports. It then will help filling the gap left by Lufthansa, Wizz and other high-fare airlines which cut routes in recent months.
“If Austria government fails to seize this significant opportunity to grow traffic and support economic recovery, then fares for Austrian passengers will inevitably rise, and Ryanair will have no choice but to further reduce operations in Austria. And relocate aircraft and capacity to lower cost markets”, added O’Leary.
Last month, low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced to totally withdraw from Vienna by March 2026.
Related News Stories: Wizz Air closes Abu Dhabi base and expands in Bucharest Partner News - TravelMole
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