Ryanair's London winter programme

Michael O’Leary was himself in town to launch the Irish carrier’s winter programme, emphasising London as a major growth area.  He naturally used the opportunity to demand a shake-up of NATS (previously National Air Traffic Services) calling for the sacking of Martin Rolfe, Chief Executive.

Ryanair operates out of three London airports, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.  

Once again first off the mark, Ryanair has now introduced the winter season schedule in advance of the traditional airline end of October date, when the clock changes.

There are six new routes to Belfast, Basel, Ouarzazate, Tatry, Tirana and Vigo, all out of Stansted, plus Treviso out of Luton.

To support what is a 15% capacity growth for the UK capital, Ryanair will base two new Boeing 737 aircraft at Stansted for Winter 23/24 bringing the airline’s total London-based fleet to 50, creating over 60 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers at London’s fastest growing airport.

Ryanair is forecast to carry more than 183 million passengers this year, a rise of 14% from the 160 million flown in 2022.

O’Leary said the airline had noted weakening demand for flights from regional UK cities, but that London remains strong.

O’Leary also noted that the rise in seat prices was unlikely to continue. “We had double-digit increase in fares in summer 2022, and a single-digit increase this summer. It can’t go on like that.  People are struggling … and that will take its toll. We may have to try to simulate the market by cutting fares”, he said.

As for the last Bank Holiday national air traffic shutdown he was considering his options to sue NATS for damages.

www.ryanair.com

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