Ryanair has unveiled its winter schedule from Bristol, introducing five new destinations.
- The airline is advocating for the elimination of air passenger duty (APD) by the government.
- Ryanair argues that APD hinders UK tourism by imposing a heavy financial burden.
- New routes include Copenhagen, Fuerteventura, Marrakesh, Prague, and Tirana.
- Ryanair projects significant growth in UK traffic and job creation if APD is removed.
Ryanair has announced its winter 2024 schedule, adding five new routes from Bristol Airport. This expansion increases Ryanair’s offerings from the South West hub to a total of 30 routes, thus enhancing connectivity and travel options for passengers.
The budget carrier is actively pressuring Sir Keir Starmer’s government to abolish air passenger duty (APD), a charge levied on travellers based on their destination. Ryanair criticises the tax, describing it as ‘unfair’ and arguing that it adversely affects the UK’s tourism sector.
The newly announced destinations from Bristol Airport include Copenhagen in Denmark; Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands; Marrakesh in Morocco; Prague in the Czech Republic; and Tirana in Albania. These additions are poised to offer greater variety and affordability, bolstering travel opportunities for those in the South West.
Ryanair claims that scrapping the APD would facilitate ‘ambitious growth’ within the UK’s aviation sector. By eliminating this tax, Ryanair promises to create 1,000 new jobs, invest £2 billion by adding 20 aircraft to UK airports, and increase UK annual traffic by 14% to 65 million passengers by the year 2030.
According to Ryanair, the UK’s position as an island economy makes low-cost air access vital, particularly for regions where tourism has been struggling. With a fleet of 117 UK-based aircraft operating over 640 routes, Ryanair affirms its commitment to maintaining and expanding connectivity despite current financial setbacks, which include a reported 46% drop in profits before tax for the three months up to June 30.
The removal of air passenger duty could significantly enhance Ryanair’s capacity to contribute to the UK’s economic and tourism growth.
