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22-Feb-2012 10:41 AM

Edinburgh Airport 'disappointed' with Ryanair plans to reduce Edinburgh presence

Scotland's Edinburgh Airport MD Jim O'Sullivan stated (21-Feb-2012) it is "disappointed that Ryanair has reduced its services from Edinburgh". The carrier plans to reduce the size of its Edinburgh base from seven to six aircraft which will see the loss of five routes to Berlin, Malmo, Murcia, Ibiza and Tallinn. This will reduce its network from the airport from 40 to 35 routes and from 140 to 110 weekly services. The changes will come into effect in the airline's summer 2012 schedule from Apr-2012. The airline expects the move to result in the lost of up to 300 jobs and 300,00 annual passengers (from 1.8 million to under 1.5 million, down 16%). Ryanair stated its decision followed the "breakdown of negotiations with the high cost BAA Edinburgh about a competitive cost base for further Ryanair growth at Edinburgh". The LCC warned further reductions may follow if negotiations to extend its five-year agreement from Oct-2012 with the airport are not successful. Mr O'Sullivan commented, "We have tried extremely hard to negotiate with Ryanair but sadly on many issues have not been able to find common ground. For example, we cannot accept their wish to not pay the agreed air traffic control costs that all other airlines pay. As ever, our focus remains on providing managed, sustained and high value growth matching the aspirations of our city." [more - original PR - Ryanair] [more - original PR - Edinburgh Airport]

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