2nd Nov 2024 10:47
(Alliance News) - Ryanair Holdings PLC has warned that it may cut the number of flights from the UK by up to 10% next year, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The Dublin-headquartered air carrier blamed increased taxes on air travel, which are set to increase further following the UK government's Budget earlier this week.
"Chancellor Rachel Reeves' idiotic decision to further raise the UK's already high air travel taxes will deliver cuts, not growth," Chief Executive Michael O'Leary proclaimed.
O'Leary furthermore said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government had "promised to deliver growth" but the Budget had "damaged growth, damaged tourism, and damaged air travel to [and] from the UK".
Air passenger duty was due to rise on some flights in April 2025.
In its Budget the government announced a further 13% increase on all commercial flights from 2026 to 2027. Taxes on the largest private jets will rise by an extra 50%.
Ryanair has previously threatened to shift flights away from countries with high taxes, the FT noted, having previously warned it could cut 1.5 million seats on its flights to and from Germany due to aviation taxes there.
By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter
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