Ryanair has intensified its criticism of the UK government’s decision to increase Air Passenger Duty (APD), arguing that the move will harm tourism and connectivity. Starting in 2026, the tax on short-haul flights will rise by £2 per passenger, a change that Ryanair claims will make the UK less competitive compared to countries like Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, which have reduced or eliminated aviation taxes to stimulate sector growth.
According to a report by Airlines UK, the APD increase could discourage both airlines and tourists, negatively impacting regional airports and the British hospitality industry. Other major airlines, including British Airways and EasyJet, have also voiced concerns, warning that the tax hike will undermine the competitiveness of UK airports compared to their European counterparts.
Michael O’Leary: APD Hike is "Counterproductive"
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called the APD increase "a counterproductive measure that will hurt the growth of the aviation sector and the UK economy." He criticized the government for taking the opposite approach to other nations, stating:
"While other countries are cutting or eliminating these taxes to attract tourists and investment, the UK government is doing the opposite—penalizing travelers and the industry."
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O’Leary also questioned the government’s focus on long-term infrastructure projects, such as the proposed third runway at Heathrow and a second at Gatwick, instead of implementing immediate measures to boost economic growth. "If the government truly wants to encourage tourism and investment, it should start by scrapping APD rather than increasing the tax burden on travelers," he added.
Ryanair Expands London Operations Despite Tax Concerns
Despite the APD controversy, Ryanair has announced its summer 2025 schedule from London, featuring 206 routes. The airline is adding seven new destinations from Stansted Airport to Bodrum, Clermont-Ferrand, Dalaman, Münster, Lübeck, Linz, and Reggio Calabria. Additionally, flight frequencies will increase on 30 routes to cities such as Gdansk, Ibiza, Málaga, Milan, Rome, Turin, and Valencia.
To support this expansion, Ryanair will deploy another Boeing 737 at its Stansted base, representing an additional $100 million investment and bringing the total number of Ryanair aircraft in London to 56. This growth will also create 30 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew, and engineers.
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Ryanair continues to argue that scrapping APD would immediately boost investment, tourism, and economic activity in the UK. The airline warns that the current tax increase could have adverse effects on the aviation sector and regional economies.
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