Ryanair, Europe’s leading low-cost airline, is expanding its presence in Copenhagen with an impressive 29 routes for the upcoming Winter 2024 schedule. This includes four exciting new destinations: Barcelona, Bristol, Poznan, and Sofia, offering Danish travelers and tourists a wider range of affordable travel options to explore Europe.
Imagine strolling through Barcelona’s vibrant Las Ramblas, immersing yourself in Bristol’s rich industrial heritage, exploring Poznan’s picturesque Old Market Square and scenic Malta Lake, or uncovering Sofia’s unique blend of historic churches – all within reach thanks to Ryanair’s commitment to affordable travel.
Ryanair’s investment in Copenhagen aims to boost tourism and provide budget-friendly alternatives to the often-expensive fares offered by competitors like SAS and Norwegian. However, the airline faces a potential roadblock: the Danish government’s proposed Aviation Tax of DKK 50 per departing passenger, set to take effect in January 2025.
Ryanair argues that this so-called ‘eco tax’ could significantly hinder the recovery of Denmark’s tourism and air travel sectors. Denmark is still working to reach pre-pandemic air traffic levels, currently at only 95% of 2019 figures. Ryanair warns that the new tax would make Denmark’s air travel less competitive, especially compared to other EU countries like Sweden, which eliminated its own Aviation Tax after recognizing it hampered sustainable aviation and negatively impacted economic growth, tourism, and employment.
Following Sweden’s decision, Ryanair expanded its operations there, adding two new aircraft, 10 routes, and 60 new jobs for the Summer 2025 schedule. This demonstrates the potential benefits of a more supportive policy environment for air travel.
Ryanair urges the Danish government to reconsider its Aviation Tax plan, encouraging them to follow Sweden’s lead and enhance Denmark’s competitiveness. Removing the tax could attract further investment from airlines, offer more budget-friendly routes, and help Denmark fully restore its pre-pandemic air traffic levels, as seen in other EU nations.
Ryanair’s Dara Brady stated, “Despite Ryanair’s significant post-Covid growth in Denmark (+35%), including 4 new Copenhagen routes (Barcelona, Bristol, Poznan & Sofia) for Winter 2024, Denmark is one of the few European countries (like Germany) that has failed to recover its pre-Covid traffic due to its high access costs and high airport charges. Despite this, the Govt is absurdly proposing to introduce a new Aviation Tax from Jan 2025, which would make Denmark even less competitive than other EU States, who are abolishing taxes and lowering airport costs to stimulate traffic growth. Ryanair is the only major airline growing traffic in Europe, and cost is the main factor we consider when deciding where to allocate our new aircraft and growth. Ryanair calls on the Danish Govt to follow Sweden’s example, scrap its plans to introduce an Aviation Tax, and instead promote policies to lower costs to incentivise growth and competition to high fare national flag carrier, SAS.”
The success of Ryanair’s Copenhagen expansion and the potential impact of the Aviation Tax highlight the delicate balance between sustainable air travel and economic growth. As the airline industry continues to recover, policies that encourage competition and affordability will be crucial in fostering a vibrant and accessible travel sector across Europe.
