Ryanair Exits Maastricht Airport Citing High Fees and Rising Costs

Ryanair will cease operations at Maastricht Aachen Airport starting October 26 due to rising costs and higher airport fees. The Irish low-cost carrier will suspend flights from Maastricht to Alicante, Bari, Girona, Porto, and Zadar, redirecting capacity to other European markets such as Sweden, Italy, and Poland.

Ryanair criticized Maastricht for significantly increasing charges, calling it “one of the most expensive airports in Europe.” The airport countered that it had negotiated with Ryanair for months but could not agree on rates that would ensure financial sustainability.

The airport stated that it must prioritize contracts that deliver profitability and cover operating costs with a healthy margin. The rates Ryanair sought were significantly lower than what other Dutch airports charge, according to airport management.

Data from ch-aviation shows Ryanair currently offers 1,904 weekly departure seats from Maastricht, representing 76.3% of the airport’s total scheduled passenger capacity. Other carriers operating at Maastricht include Corendon Airlines Europe and Corendon Dutch Airlines.

While Ryanair exits Maastricht, it may expand operations in Italy. The carrier has welcomed the Sicilian Regional Assembly’s recent decision to abolish the municipal surcharge on flights to smaller island airports, such as Trapani. Although Ryanair hinted at adding more frequencies to Trapani, it has not yet confirmed plans to establish a base there.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com