Aviation

Ryanair warns it may cut routes if Ireland introduces environmental charge

Airline argues that short-haul flights are a financial necessity so the charge should apply to more environmentally damaging long-haul flights

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair group chief executive and the airline’s chief executive Eddie Wilson at Ryanair’s ‘Contributing to Ireland’s Economy & Society’ conference.Picture: Fergal Phillips

Ryanair expects more European countries to introduce environmental taxes on air travel over the coming years, but has warned it could cut routes from Ireland if such a charge was introduced here.

The Irish airline has been highly critical of the Dutch government’s plans to hike its airline passenger tax in a move that could add about €30 to the price of air fares.

While the airline has said it isn’t opposed to environmental taxes, ...