Ryanair to end Dublin service

Further evidence of the ‘triple whammy' affecting regional air services has been demonstrated today with the announcement of passenger figures for the coming year-and the news that Ryanair is cutting back on its Dublin operations...including the service to Durham Tees Valley Airport.

Ryanair had previously made clear that its operations at Dublin would be reduced because of a 12 per cent increase in Air Traffic Control charges at Dublin Airport and the decision by the Irish Government to introduce a 10euro ‘tourist tax' from next month.

Today it revealed that that services on the long-established and well supported route between Dublin and Durham Tees Valley would end in June-it is also ending services between Dublin and Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Meanwhile figures announced by the Civil Aviation Authority show that passenger numbers at Durham Tees Valley fell by 12 per cent last year-in line with reductions at many other regional airports, including Newcastle. A total of 655,017 terminal and transit passengers flew from Durham Tees Valley in 2008 compared to 743,727 the previous year.

Said Neil Pakey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Peel Airports "There is no hiding our disappointment at the Ryanair announcement and we know that there will be a similar reaction from the many thousands of passengers who have supported the service since it was launched in 1997.

"In many respects the reasons given by Ryanair for reducing its Dublin operations mirror the kind of issues which are affecting regional airports generally-a triple whammy of the recession, big increases in charges at major airports such as Heathrow and Dublin...and the impact of punitive taxation levels on both sides of the Irish Sea.

"Our local MPs are soon to meet with the Aviation Minister to discuss the widespread concern over the impending loss the Durham Tees Valley-Heathrow link and today's developments underline the urgent need for Governments to understand the huge problems facing the airline industry generally...and especially services from regional airports."

Added Ryanair Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer Michael Cawley "Ryanair appreciates that this is not only the Irish economy that is affected by these horrendous increases in air traffic control charges and we will continue to look at other route opportunities from Durham Tees Valley where such draconian cost increases are not imposed upon us."

Ryanair's services from Durham Tees Valley to Alicante and Barcelona Girona are unaffected by today's news. From the end of March there will be flights to Alicante and Girona on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.