Ryanair criticises aircraft parking charges in Dublin

Ryanair has criticised what it has described as unjustified charges for aircraft that are parked at Dublin Airport while not in use due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The airline has called on the Taoiseach to reverse the fees on aircraft that have been grounded due to government imposed restrictions it says it fully supports.

Ryanair DAC CEO, Eddie Wilson, said, "it is wrong that state-owned Dublin Airport should be allowed profiteer from customers whose aircraft have been grounded by Government travel bans."

"We call on the Irish Government to ensure that these charges are cancelled for all airlines."

The company wants the charges waived by Dublin Airport for the duration of the Covid-19 groundings and claims many other EU airports already have done this.

However, a spokesman for Dublin Airport, where traffic has fallen 99% compared to this time last year, said Ryanair's claims have no basis in fact.

"Despite the very significant challenges that the business is facing, we have taken a range of actions to support and assist Ryanair and our other airline customers," the spokesman said.

"Dublin Airport is giving a 93% discount on parking charges for narrow-bodied aircraft such as those operated by Ryanair."

"Those aircraft are parked in a safe and secure location offering Ryanair staff ready access to their planes when required. Dublin Airport has also introduced a 50% reduction in runway movement charges for all cargo flights."

Ordinarily airlines pay €2,678 for every aircraft that spend 24 hours parked at a boarding gate at Dublin airport, but currently Ryanair is being charged €180.

Ryanair plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs across its network as a result of a dramatic drop in business due to the restrictions and claims it will take up to two years for passenger demand to return to normal.

The daa, which runs Dublin airport, has moved most of its staff to a four day week and reduced their pay to 80% of their normal salary because of the drop in passenger volumes.