euronews — Budget airline Ryanair has accused the Greek government of ignoring its attempts to talk about reducing airport taxes in the low season in return for increased flights.
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, David O’Brien, told Euronews Greek airport departure taxes are so high that the carrier is going to stop flying altogether to Kos next year and will reduce flights to other islands.
O’Brien said they had pledged to bring an additional five million passengers to Greece if there was a reduction in the taxes: “The main problem really is airport prices and airport taxes in Greece. We have written several times, more than 20 times, to various Greek ministers, not just this government, to the previous government, and they are perfectly entitled to disagree with us, we did not get any answer I might add. Therefore we decided ‘let’s not waste our time’.”
He pointed out that on a ticket price of 43 euros, tax of 40 euros – the amount for Athens airport – made no sense.
The Greek Culture Minister Elena Kountoura said she did respond and told the airline it was a matter for the finance and transport ministries.
By contrast Ryanair said after it recently petitioned Rome, the Italian government dropped a planned increase in airport departure taxes and as a consequence the airline will base more planes there next year with increased passenger numbers and jobs.
Meanwhile Ryanair on 20 September in its Greece summer 2017 schedule, announced more flights from Athens to Chania (25 per week) and Mykonos (Daily), which will deliver 3.4m customers p.a. and support over 2,600 jobs at Athens International Airport. However for 2017 there will be a 2% overall reduction in passenger capacity in Greece , Ryanair’s commercial manager David O’Brien said.
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Airfare costs breakdown
Using statistics from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Airbus and Delta Airlines, Wendover Productions calculated the costs based on an Airbus A320 travelling at full capacity (154 passengers), one-way between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, a 1 hour 20 minute trip,. The average fare for this route costs US$80 (£55.20),
| OUTLAY | AMOUNT ALLOCATED PER TICKET |
|---|---|
| Fuel | £1.72 ($2.50) |
| Crew salaries (1 pilot, 4 cabin attendants) | £1.03 ($1.50) |
| Airport costs (landing fees, etc) | £9.32 ($13.50) |
| Paying off price of plane (Airbus A320neo) | £7.93 ($11.50) |
| Plane insurance | £0.17 ($0.25) |
| Aircraft maintenance fees | £9.66 ($14) |
| Taxes and charges | £10.77 ($15.60) |
| Cost of running the airline | £6.90 ($10) |
