22 AUGUST 2016

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Article from BTNews 22 AUGUST 2016

Ryanair reprieve for Italy

A plan by Ryanair to close its Pescara base in Italy in November was reversed last week after the Italian government pulled back from a €2.50 municipal tax increase and brought in revised airport guidelines.

The airline said the airport moves “will enable Italy’s regional airports to compete on a level playing field with airports in Rome and Milan as long as they comply with the EU’s MEIP rules”. 

The airline continued: “These initiatives have now allowed Pescara Airport to reach a new growth agreement with Ryanair, which will reverse the previously-announced closure of the Pescara base in November.”

The airline said it would also accelerate its growth plans in Italy as a result of the government initiatives with record investment, including allocating 10 new aircraft to the Italian market and establishing 44 new routes – 21 at Rome and Milan airports and 23 at regional airports.

The airline said as a result 3m new passengers a year would be delivered, and more than 35m customers will fly to and from Italian airports with Ryanair in 2017.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the airline was still in negotiations with Alghero Airport and hoped to conclude a similar agreement which could allow the Alghero base to reopen in late November.

www.ryanair.com

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum


David Bentley, Manchester/UK

You know, what amuses me about O'Lairy and his unyielding 'bring in a tax and I'll pull out' threats (Italy, Norway et al) is that the UK has the highest taxes in the world. It doesn't matter how they are levied. So why doesn't he quit the UK? Nothing but a bully.


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