Ryanair urges action on European aviation taxes and ATC delays

Budget airline Ryanair has called for European governments to abolish aviation taxes and reduce “high” air traffic control fees as a way of boosting economic growth.

The Ireland-based company said it had published a “simple manifesto” to governments in EU member states for the new year, which would help to grow airline traffic during 2025.

Ryanair emphasised that countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Ireland and some regions of Italy had benefited from abolishing aviation taxes in the past couple of years, which had led to increased air traffic.

“At the same time, the UK, France, and Germany – three failing economies – have raised aviation taxes and suffered traffic declines,” said the airline. “It’s time to axe aviation taxes and place freedom of movement and low fare air travel at the heart of economic recovery in 2025.”

Ryanair also wants European governments to “cut or abolish” air traffic control fees. It pointed out that summer 2024 was the “worst year on record for ATC delays and cancellations”, which it blamed on a lack of air traffic control staff during the key morning departure period. 

Other demands from the airline include abolishing “artificial growth constraints”, such as Dublin Airport’s current cap of 32 million passengers per year.

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary, added: “Too many of Europe’s economies, such as France, Germany and the UK, are stagnating under the dead hand of regulation, higher taxes and government mismanagement.

“It is time to return to deregulation and focus on those policies that deliver growth. Aviation is the one industry in Europe that can deliver immediate and sustainable growth in traffic, tourism, and jobs – particularly in the peripheral regions in Europe.

“The new commission under Ursula von der Leyen should stop talking about growth and start delivering it. Fix Europe’s broken ATC system, abolish aviation taxes and return to the principle of free movement of citizens around Europe.”