Ryanair has been accused of having a 'revolving door' approach to doing business after it announced plans to cut its Shannon airport flights by a fifth.
Chief executive Michael O‘Leary confirmed the scaling back of services this winter at a press conference this afternoon. Mr O'Leary blamed what he said was an increase in passenger fees for the move.
The service reduction will see the Paris route closed and some London Gatwick and London Stansted services cut.
“It is clear that the Irish Government and the Dublin Airport Authority monopoly are determined to destroy Irish air traffic, Irish tourism and Irish jobs," Mr O'Leary said.
The airline said traffic at the Co Clare centre had collapsed since last year and blamed high costs for the decision.
Shannon airport announced on August 28th it was increasing charges by €1.58 cents per passenger and said this was in line with other regional airports. It was the first rise since 2004 and the airport director said it was introduced because Shannon was losing money.
A spokesman for Shannon Airport said: "While we regret any reduction in services, the cutting of the Paris Beauvais route is surprising as it is had been strong performing, with a load factor of 89 per cent in August for example."
The latest scale-back follows the airline's recent announcement that it is pulling out of Belfast City Airport from October 31st. The airline said the decision followed the airport's confirmation that a public inquiry into a planned runway extension would be delayed.
The mayors of Clare and Shannon criticised Ryanair’s ‘revolving door’ approach to doing business.
Clare mayor Christy Curtin said: “While the loss of business following today’s announcement is regrettable, I would ask both airport authorities to immediately open negotiations with other airlines with a view to filling the void.”
Shannon mayor Tony Mulcahy said travellers were becoming weary of the airline’s lack of commitment.
"Passengers are reluctant to book ahead as they realise that the scheduled flight may be withdrawn at a moment’s notice by Ryanair. This will not only have an adverse effect on business at the airports concerned but will also impact on Ryanair’s relationship with airline passengers as well as with airports," he added.
Fine Gael TD for Clare Pat Breen said the news has "cast a dark cloud" over the airport and the region.