Ryanair is reducing its London Stansted services by 20% this winter, blaming higher airport charges.
It is cutting the number of aircraft operated from 40 to 33, which means reducing frequency or cancelling services altogether.
“BAA Stansted doubling of airport charges since April 07 have caused traffic declines at Stansted for the first time in 15 years. The current service provided by the BAA at Stansted is nothing short of appalling,” it said in a statement today.
“Many of the 17 security machines are regularly unmanned during peak morning periods, and understaffing at passport control continues to cause long queues and frequent passenger delays.
“We continue to press for the break up of the BAA airport monopoly which provides abject facilities, a third rate service and charges extortionate prices, particularly at Stansted.
“This winter we will sit seven of our 40 Stansted based aircraft on the ground because Stansted’s higher airport charges make it more profitable to ground these aircraft during the winter rather than fly them.”
Ryanair announced the Stansted decision as it revealed a 20% rise in profit for the three months to the end of June.
The airline made a pre-tax profit of €139m in the quarter, up from €116m the previous year.
It said although ticket prices were flat, it had enjoyed an 18% rise in passenger numbers.
It has revised its forecast for full-year profit growth from 5% to 10%, saying this would be helped by its decision to cut capacity on non-profitable winter routes.
By Bev Fearis
