300 jobs at risk as Ryanair axes five Edinburgh routes

BUDGET airline Ryanair today announced it was cutting five routes from Edinburgh warning of the loss of up to 300 jobs.

The airline blamed airport operator BAA’s high charges for the move. It also warned that there could be further cuts if it is not offered a more competitive deal.

The cuts at Edinburgh which take effect from this summer will see routes to Berlin, Malmo, Murcia, Ibizia, and Tallin axed with the number of aircraft reduced from seven to six.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said: “Ryanair regrets BAA Edinburgh Airport’s rejection of our proposals for a competitive cost base which would allow Ryanair to further grow our traffic and routes for summer 2012. Sadly BAA Edinburgh seems to prefer higher costs, even if it means fewer passengers and jobs at Edinburgh.

“While Ryanair remains committed to Edinburgh Airport (and with 1.5m passengers and 35 routes, we continue to be one of the largest airlines operating to/from Edinburgh), BAA Edinburgh cannot continue to ignore the competitive marketplace, where airports all over the UK and Europe have been reducing costs and lowering charges in return for traffic growth.

“We hope even at this late stage that BAA Edinburgh will realise that the way to grow traffic and jobs is by working with Ryanair to lower passengers fares, not raise them.”

Jim O’Sullivan, managing director of Edinburgh Airport, said: “Of course we are disappointed that Ryanair has reduced its services from Edinburgh.

“We have tried extremely hard to negotiate with Ryanair but sadly on many issues have not been able to find common ground. For example, we cannot accept their wish to not pay the agreed air traffic control costs that all other airlines pay.

“As ever, our focus remains on providing managed, sustained and high-value growth, matching the aspirations of our city.”