Ryanair has launched an “attack” against Fraport Greece, alleging that the operator of Greece’s regional airports“plans to increase fees at Kalamata Airport by up to 390%,”a move that—according to the airline—will render “yet another Greek regional airport hopelessly uncompetitive” and will harm Greek tourism.
In a statement released today, the company claims that Fraport Greece has already implemented fee increases at other Greek airports in recent years and notes that these developments are affecting its operating costs in the Greek market.
Ryanair also links the fee increases to its decision to discontinue certain winter flights in Greece, including its base in Thessaloniki and routes to and from Chania and Heraklion.
In a statement, the airline estimates that a potential significant increase in fees at Kalamata could affect the airport’s competitiveness and have consequences for passenger traffic, particularly outside the summer season.
Ryanair is calling on the Greek government to examine the impact of concession agreements and pricing policies at regional airports, which harm Greece’s competitiveness and benefit the operator.
Ryanair’s Commercial Director, Jason McGuinness, in a statement, described the possibility of a fourfold increase in fees at Kalamata as “unbelievable,” considers the proposed increases "excessive" and believes they could lead to a reduction in air traffic and available options for passengers. At the same time, he emphasized that Kalamata and other regional airports in the country have the potential to attract significant traffic throughout the year and reduce the intense seasonality. However, as he noted, this can only be achieved if Fraport Greece freezes increases in airport fees and passes on the full 75% reduction in the Airport Development Fee to passengers.
SOURCE: APE