Ryanair blames fees and tax as it axes routes to Belfast

RYANAIR will stop flying from Northern Ireland in October, blaming the high costs of operating at Belfast’s two airports for the decision.

The Irish airline will abandon operations at Belfast International and Belfast City airports from the autumn and base its aircraft at cheaper airports elsewhere in the UK and Europe.

The airline blamed the Government’s refusal to reduce or suspend air passenger duty and a lack of incentives from both airports for its move.

Britain has some of the world’s highest air passenger duty rates in the world, with a tax of £26 per passenger on short haul economy flights to most of Europe, and £150 per passenger on long haul flights.

A spokesman for Ryanair said: “Due to the UK Government’s refusal to suspend or reduce air passenger duty, and the lack of Covid recovery incentives from both Belfast airports, this winter Ryanair will cease operations from Belfast International and Belfast City Airport from the end of the summer schedule in October.”