Ryanair April Traffic Falls 99.6%
Traffic in April fell from 13 million passengers in April 2019 to 40,000 passenger last month, a staggering 99.6% drop in passenger numbers. Ryanair operated just 600 scheduled flights against a total of 75,501 that were planned in April. These 600 flights include a number of rescue and medical flights on behalf of various EU Governments including one from Dublin to Monrovia in Liberia on behalf of ESB International. This was the first time Ryanair has operated to sub-Saharan Africa which took 7 hours 19 minutes. The return flight was operated via Seville. Due to existing restrictions throughout Europe, Ryanair expect to carry minimal passengers in May and into June.
It has extended some services with three additional Stansted routes, to Bucharest (3 pw), Sofia (3 pw) and Porto (daily). These will run from 15th May until 21st May but may be extended further.
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary has suggested to the EU Competition Commissioner that government support should be provided to all EU airlines in proportion to their share of traffic in a particular country. The company have pointed out that government support to some flag carriers has distorted the marketplace and allows them to engage in below cost selling as restrictions are lifted.
The airline have also criticised the daa for what it has described as unjustified charges for aircraft parking at Dublin Airport during the Covid-19 crisis. The airline has called on the Taoiseach to intervene to reverse the fees saying it fully supports the governments restrictions.
daa has said “Dublin Airport is giving a 93% discount on parking charges for narrow-bodied aircraft such as those operated by Ryanair. Those aircraft are parked in a safe and secure location offering Ryanair staff ready access to their planes when required. Dublin Airport has also introduced a 50% reduction in runway movement charges for all cargo flights.”
About the Author
Mark Dwyer Mark is an airline pilot flying the Boeing 737 for a major European airline. In addition he is also a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and Base Training Captain on the B737. Outside of commercial flying Mark enjoys flying light aircraft from the smallest 3 Axis microlights up to heavier singles. He is also an instructor and EASA Examiner on single engines and a UK CAA Examiner. He flies the Chipmunk for the Irish Historic Flight Foundation (IHFF). Mark became the Chairman of the National Microlight Association of Ireland (NMAI) in 2013 and has overseen a massive growth in the organisation. In this role he has worked at local and national levels. In 2015, Mark won ‘Upcoming Aviation Professional Award’ at the Aviation Industry Awards sponsored by the IAA. Mark launched this website back in 2002 while always managing the website, he has also been Editor and Deputy Editor of FlyingInIreland Magazine from 2005 to 2015.
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