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Ryanair to Withdraw from Maastricht Citing Fees

Ryanair to Withdraw from Maastricht Citing Fees
Departure Announcement and Impact on Routes
Ryanair has declared it will terminate all operations at Maastricht Aachen Airport effective October 26, attributing the decision to escalating costs and increased airport fees. The Irish low-cost carrier will discontinue five routes from the southern Dutch airport, specifically flights to Alicante, Bari, Girona, Porto, and Zadar. This withdrawal will reduce the airport’s annual seat capacity by approximately 150,000, significantly affecting its passenger throughput.
Reasons Behind the Withdrawal
The airline criticized Maastricht Aachen Airport for what it described as disproportionate cost increases, labeling it "one of the most expensive airports in Europe." Ryanair also cited the substantial Dutch aviation tax as a key factor influencing its decision. In response to these challenges, the carrier plans to reallocate its capacity to other European markets, including Sweden, Italy, and Poland.
Regional Market Implications
Ryanair’s exit is poised to have considerable repercussions on the regional aviation landscape. The airline currently accounts for 76.3% of Maastricht’s scheduled passenger capacity, offering 1,904 weekly departure seats according to ch-aviation data. The loss of such a dominant operator is expected to redirect passenger traffic to neighboring airports. Competing carriers such as Corendon Airlines Europe and Corendon Dutch Airlines, which also operate at Maastricht, may adjust their route networks or pricing strategies to capture Ryanair’s former customer base.
Airport Response and Negotiations
Maastricht Aachen Airport confirmed it had engaged in months of negotiations with Ryanair but was unable to reach a financially viable agreement. The airport emphasized its commitment to contracts that are profitable and cover operational costs with a healthy margin. It noted that the rates Ryanair sought were significantly lower than those at other Dutch airports, making the proposed terms unsustainable.
Ryanair’s Strategic Shifts
While Ryanair is withdrawing from Maastricht, it is simultaneously exploring expansion opportunities elsewhere. Following the Sicilian Regional Assembly’s decision to abolish the municipal surcharge on airline tickets for flights to smaller island airports, Ryanair welcomed the move and pledged to increase frequencies to Trapani. However, the airline has yet to confirm whether it will establish a new base at that location.
As Ryanair departs Maastricht, industry observers will closely monitor how passenger flows and competitive dynamics evolve in the region.

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