Airline passenger news and views

Stanstead airport is set to be the big loser as Ryanair reduces its winter schedules.

Michael O’Leary singled out the changes in Air Passenger Duty as the main reason for falling UK passengers numbers which are likely to be 1.4 million less than last year.

O’Leary has been a long-term critic of the APD which he claims discourages tourism and damages the UK aviation industry. A concern is that he will increasingly focus his operations in other European countries which have chosen to lower their tourist taxes and passenger charges.

Ryanair and its high profile publicity machine attracts a lot of flak but it is hard not to agree with the thrust of the argument. The UK does have a very expensive aviation infrastructure. This is partly due to taxation but is also due to historical lack of coordinated investment and devolution of control to external companies such as BAA.

For an airline like Ryanair, there are more margins and flexibility to be found elsewhere in Europe. Love them or hate them, Ryanair have challenged and changed the world of high-price air travel. I for one would be sad to see them go elsewhere.