Ryanair to close Glasgow base while adding new routes to Edinburgh

MOVING OUT: Glasgow International is Scotland's second biggest airport after Edinburgh

Ryanair, Europe’s second largest airline, has announced it will close its one aircraft base at Glasgow International Airport from November this year.

At the same time, it has said that it will be switch one aircraft and five route from Glasgow to its rival Edinburgh and it will add 11 new routes to its winter 2018 roster in the Scottish capital.

The decision will affect around 100 jobs in the Glasgow area and will damage “wider Scottish connectivity” according to the airport.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: “We are bitterly disappointed at this decision by Ryanair.

“This is a result of the airline’s review of its single aircraft bases, however, we have been left in no doubt it is also a consequence of the Scottish Government’s inability to introduce its proposed 50 per cent cut in Air Departure Tax (ADT).

“Despite clear and repeated warnings from both airports and airlines about the potential impact of this policy not being implemented, we are now faced with a stark scenario that includes the loss of 20 services and a significant number of jobs.

“This is the second example in as many months of an airline cutting capacity in Scotland because of the lack of movement on ADT.

“The reality is this capacity will be reallocated elsewhere in Europe to countries with more favourable aviation taxation policies to Scotland’s detriment. We cannot sit back and risk Scotland’s connectivity being further eroded. It is imperative there is immediate action on ADT.”

In Edinburgh, Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, David O’Brien said: “Ryanair regrets these cuts in the weaker Glasgow market where efforts to stimulate low fare demand are severely hampered by the continuing burden of APD.

“As a result, we will transfer our Glasgow International based aircraft to Edinburgh in November where we will offer 11 new low fare routes (45 in total including London Stansted) and deliver over 3.5m passengers per annum at Edinburgh Airport.”