Ryanair says the UK government’s decision to reduce APD on domestic flights from summer 2023 is “neither sufficient nor timely enough to kickstart the UK’s tourism recovery”.
The budget carrier – a long-standing critic of air passenger duty (APD) – reiterated its calls to drop the tax altogether.
In a statement announcing a new route between Manchester and Cork, it “welcomed” Rishi Sunak’s move, which will see APD halved on domestic flights because it will only be charged on one leg – a long-term ask from many in the travel industry.
At the same time, he announced the introduction from April 2023 of an ‘ultra long-haul’ band rate of APD covering flights of more than 5,500 miles.
Climate change campaigners criticised the reduction ni domestic APD and said it sent the wrong message ahead of the UK hosting the Cop26 conference in Glasgow.
Ryanair said: “While Ryanair welcomes the UK government decision to reduce domestic APD from summer 2023, it is neither sufficient nor timely enough to kickstart the UK’s tourism recovery, particularly for summer 2022.
“Unfortunately, this delay will only damage the airline industry’s ability to rapidly rebuild connectivity, jobs and tourism.
“Ryanair calls on the UK govenment to immediately abolish APD for all travel, which would give both tourism and domestic UK connectivity a much-needed boost for this winter and next summer.”
Ryanair’s new route from Manchester to Cork will operate twice daily from December 15.
It will be part of Ryanair’s largest ever winter programme out of Manchester with 650 weekly flights to 72 destinations.
A £14.99 seat sale for travel until the end of March 2022 was launched on Friday, but bookings must be made by midnight on Sunday, October 31 – and only direct on the Ryanair website, as the carrier does not recognise travel agents.
Ryanair’s director of commercial, Jason McGuinness, said: “We are delighted to add this new twice daily route from Manchester to Cork which will allow UK and Irish families to reconnect this Christmas.”