Ryanair has announced it will close its base in Athens for the winter. The airline blamed the airport’s ‘dysfunctional’ charging regime in a statement.
“Athens Airport is a prime example of how the Greek government and German high-cost ownership fail to deliver. Athens International Airport is managed by German operator AviAlliance which owns 40% of the airport, with the Greek government holding a 55% stake and the remaining 5% in private hands.” Ryanair said in a press statement.
It is believed that it will close on the 29th of October, the day before the airline shifts to winter schedules. However, it’ll still serve Athens in the off-season using non-based aircraft.
Eddie Wilson, Ryanair chief executive, said: “Regrettably, the decision to sell most Greek airports to high-cost German operators has had a devastating impact on job creation as these operators have no interest in lowering prices to stimulate traffic.”
He said the Greek government had “inexplicably” failed to respond to Ryanair’s plans for growth to Athens by lowering airport charges as it had requested, and as it claimed Croatia, Ireland, Portugal “and other” governments have done.
Ryanair also accused the Greek government of applying a “penal” airport development tax of €12 euros per passenger.
Ryanair opened a base in Athens in April 2014.
