Sir, - There is something incongruous in the Tourism Minister's speech of Monday evening last in which he warned the tourist industry here "not to get too greedy and price itself out of the market". Yet while he is warning the industry, the Government-owned airport monopoly Aer Rianta is planning to significantly increase charges to airlines at Dublin next year by doing away with existing rebates and discounts.
Both Ryanair and Aer Lingus have confirmed that if Aer Rianta's charges rise, then traffic growth will cease, and new route development plans will have to be reviewed. We need lower charges at Dublin Airport because this will mean lower air fares, more visitors and more jobs. If tourists are not to be fleeced next year, then the Government should start at its own Cabinet table and require Aer Rianta to lower existing charges. Ryanair for its part will respond with lower fares, and new routes from European destinations. - Yours, etc.,
Michael O'Leary,
Chief Executive,
Ryanair,
Dublin Airport.