Ryanair has announced the closure of its Billund base and withdrawal from operations in Aalborg, Denmark, following the introduction of a new aviation tax in the country.
The Irish carrier will cease operations at both locations from the end of March 2025, responding to the Danish government's decision to implement a passenger tax from January 2025.
The airline will stop its direct flights from London Stansted Airport to Aalborg next month.
The move marks a significant reduction in Denmark's air connectivity, with the loss of more than 1.7 million passenger seats across 32 routes.
Flights to Aalborg, Denmark will no longer be taking off from Stansted next month
PAThe closure means a $200million (£160million) loss of investment, with Ryanair pulling two aircraft from its Billund base.
Denmark's air travel sector has yet to fully recover from the pandemic, operating at just 95 per cent of 2019 levels.
The airline's decision comes after unsuccessful negotiations with Billund Airport to secure a competitive long-term agreement.
The Danish government's new aviation tax of up to DKK50 (£5.57) per departing passenger is part of the reason for Ryanair's withdrawal.
A Ryanair spokesman said: "We are very disappointed to announce the closure of our two aircraft Billund base and our operations at Aalborg from the end of March.
"We have been left with no other choice following the Danish Government's short-sighted decision to introduce a harmful aviation tax."
The Irish budget airline will reduce capacity by 18 per cent on 12 routes, resulting in the cancellation of 800,000 passenger seats compared to last summer.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Ryanair has announced it is reducing the number of its flights going to Spain
GETTY
The move comes amid an ongoing dispute over airport fees, despite a freeze during the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent block on planned increases for 2025.
The airline will cease operations entirely in the cities of Jerez, Valladolid, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Zaragoza, Santander and the airport of Asturias.
Ryanair announced it would redirect its aircraft and capacity to several other European destinations and Morocco.
The airline specifically named Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Hungary and Morocco as countries where it plans to increase operations.
You may like
