RYANAIR CALLS ON IASI AIRPORT TO REDUCE CHARGES TO SECURE GROWTH

Ryanair, Europe’s no.1 airline, today (4th April), announced that it has been forced to revise its growth plan for Iasi Airport for Summer’ 24, due to the airport’s decision to implement an ill-thought-out +25% charge increase. Ryanair has strongly invested in Iasi over the previous 12 months, transporting over 250,000 passengers to/from Iasi but unfortunately, as a result of the excessive charge increases, Ryanair will not grow in S24 with this growth instead being allocated to other airports in Romania, such as Cluj, and further afield such as Poland.

The key to securing growth is lower access costs. While airports all over Europe are reducing charges to secure valuable capacity, Iasi Airport is increasing charges by an excessive +25% which is particularly bizarre when the Airport has recently opened a new terminal aimed at significantly increasing the Airport’s capacity. These excessive charges make Iasi uncompetitive and mean the City and the Region will lose out on connectivity and passenger growth in the coming years – growth which is now more valuable than ever given the capacity reductions by competing airlines in Romania this Summer.

Ryanair calls on Iasi airport to reduce charges and make Iasi competitive again so airlines can deliver connectivity and passenger growth from as early as Winter ’24, which the City and its citizens urgently require.

Ryanair’s Head of Comms for Romania, Mauro Bolla said:

“Ryanair – Europe’s no.1 airline – announced that it has been forced to revise its growth plan for Iasi airport for Summer’ 24, due to the airport’s decision to implement an ill-thought-out +25% charge increase.

This sudden increase in airport charges is a non-sensical decision from Iasi Airport considering the airport’s recent inauguration of a new terminal, Wizz Air’s reduction in operations – with over 20 cancelled routes in Romania – and the concerted efforts of all EU and Romanian airports to attract Ryanair’s capacity. Romania’s inclusion in the Schengen area also promises enhanced connectivity and growth for air passengers, that Iasi Airport will fail to attract.

Ryanair calls on Iasi Airport to urgently reduce charges to ensure there is increased growth and connectivity in the coming Winter, which would significantly bolster the region’s economy.”