Jobs warning as Ryanair cuts flights
Ryanair yesterday cautioned that up to 2,500 jobs were at risk as the company blamed passenger and airport taxes for its decision to slash UK capacity by 16 per cent from this November.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the airline would cut 200 jobs, with the rest being lost indirectly through its decision to switch aircraft from the UK to countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, which have scrapped so-called “tourist taxes”.
It means the number of aircraft flying from the UK will drop from 40 in the summer to 22 over the winter.
The airline said it would cut UK capacity by two million passengers, with 1.5 million going from its flagship airport, Stansted. Capacity there is being cut by 17 per cent, following a 14 per cent decrease during 2009.