Ryanair withdraws aircraft from Vienna – focus on taxes and fees!

Ryanair withdraws aircraft from Vienna – focus on taxes and fees!

Ryanair withdraws aircraft from Vienna

Irish airline Ryanair announced today that it will withdraw two more aircraft from its base in Vienna. This means that a total of three out of 19 aircraft stationed in the Austrian capital are now disappearing. According to various reports, the reason for this step is the exorbitantly high air traffic tax of 12 euros and the excessive airport fees at Vienna Airport. These factors lead to a loss of an investment of 200 million dollars (around 172 million euros) for the Vienna location, such as Airliners reported.

Consequences of leaving and employees

The decision has a direct impact on around 100 employees who are affected by the reduction in capacity. Ryanair had already presented a growth plan worth one billion dollars (920 million euros) in September, which envisaged the stationing of ten new Boeing 737 Max 8-200s by 2030. The goal was to increase traffic volume to twelve million passengers per year – an increase of 70 percent. Unfortunately, there was no reaction from the Austrian government to the airline's growth plan.

Stopped routes and relocations

In the winter flight schedule change, three connections to Billund, Santander and Tallinn will be discontinued. Capacity in Vienna will also be reduced. Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary doesn't rule out a complete withdrawal, but signaled that he could potentially withdraw two more planes next summer. He also expressed willingness to expand the existing growth by ten aircraft if taxes and fees are reduced. While Ryanair is withdrawing, connectivity has also suffered due to Wizz Air, which recently closed its entire base in Vienna, withdrawing all five aircraft.

Background of the high fees

Reference is repeatedly made to the high fees, which not only Ryanair but also Austrian Airlines (AUA) consider to be problematic. AUA boss Annette Mann sees a need for action regarding costs in Vienna and plans to expand its range to include two short-haul aircraft. Vienna Airport is also calling for the abolition of the airline ticket tax, which accounts for a third of the cost per passenger. These developments could have negative consequences for passenger development in 2026, as the airport also predicts.

A clear demand for reform of aviation taxes

A look across the borders shows that Ryanair is active not only in Austria, but also in Germany to fight against rising aviation taxes. Ryanair has called on the German government to reverse its planned 24% aviation tax increase from May 2024. Loud Small newspaper An increase in these costs could have negative effects on the German tourism industry. The Irish airline continues to position itself as a pioneer for cheaper travel options and aims to massively increase passenger numbers in Germany if tax relief is granted.

The development in Vienna shows that Ryanair, like other airlines, is suffering from the pressure of high fees. It remains to be seen whether those responsible will take this challenge as an incentive to make air traffic in Austria more attractive again.