Ryanair has announced changes to its operations in Italy; expanding in Milan and downsizing its presence in Rome.
The airline said it is reducing its Rome-based aircraft by one plane (to 16) for the winter 2025 season and will deliver zero traffic growth in the Italian capital this winter, due to what it calls “the artificial flight cap” at Rome Ciampino, which allows for just 65 flights a day; the Italian Government’s plan to increase the Municipal Tax at both Rome airport early next year and a rise in airport fees for airlines.
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary said: “Rome’s high access costs, including the harmful Municipal Tax, and – way above inflation – airport fee increases, together with the artificial Ciampino flights cap, have forced Ryanair to reduce one Rome-based aircraft for Winter ’25, which means zero traffic growth in Rome this winter.
“While Ryanair continues to grow elsewhere in Italy offering Europe’s lowest fares, these harmful tax and fee policies make Rome uncompetitive compared to competitor EU markets like Sweden, Hungary, Albania, and many Italian regions, all of whom have scrapped aviation taxes and lowered airport fees to unlock traffic growth.
“Ryanair calls on the Government to urgently scrap the artificial Ciampino daily flight cap, and abolish the harmful Municipal Tax at all Italian airports like other EU States including Sweden, Hungary, Slovakia and Albania already have. Ryanair also calls on Aeroporti di Roma to reduce their high airport fees in Ciampino and Fiumicino so that Rome’s traffic, tourism, and jobs can grow.
“These measures would enable Rome’s airports to enjoy rapid traffic, tourism, and jobs growth in the coming years as Ryanair will respond with a $4bn investment in Italy, adding 40 new aircraft, over 20 million passengers per year across 250 new routes and 1,500 more Ryanair jobs in Italy’s regions.”
Meanwhile, Ryanair has announced a further $3.1m investment in its operations in Milan for this coming winter season. It will add three more aircraft there – two in Bergamo and one in Malpensa – taking its Milan total to 31, and operate 120 routes, five being brand new ones.
Ryanair airline CEO, Eddie Wilson, said: “This significant investment underpins our long-term strategy of supporting the growth of Italy’s regional airports, as evidenced by the 19 million passengers we will deliver in Milan this year – boosting inbound tourism to Lombardy and maintaining year-round international connectivity. We’ve worked closely with the SACBO and SEA teams to make this growth possible – proving that competitive conditions and efficient operations are key to unlocking real growth. Our partnership with Milan’s airports stretches back over two decades and, after years of successful collaboration, we remain committed to continuing to grow in the Region.
“To further build on this success and unlock even greater opportunities for Italian aviation, tourism and jobs, Ryanair again calls on the Italian Government to scrap the Municipal Tax across all Italian airports to stimulate further traffic, tourism, and jobs growth. If removed, Ryanair will respond with an additional 40 aircraft, 20 million additional annual passengers, 250 new routes and 15,000 additional jobs throughout Italy.”
