Ryanair pulls more routes on Hungarian tax line | New

Irish budget airline Ryanair has denounced what it calls Hungary’s ‘idiotic excess profit tax’ after citing the move as a reason to cut seven more routes from its Budapest base this winter.

Ryanair has been at odds with the Hungarian government after being fined under a new windfall profit tax introduced earlier this year which covers several sectors including airlines.

The Irish carrier, which appealed the fine, today said it planned to cut seven more routes from Budapest this winter – in addition to the eight routes it has already cut.

Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary, speaking at a press briefing in Hungary today, said: “We deeply regret that we are not in Hungary today to announce new routes and additional growth for winter 22, as we are in many other European countries. .

“The Hungarian government’s silly ‘excess profit’ tax on the loss-making air transport sector (and Hungarian citizens/visitors) has only harmed Hungarian tourism, connectivity, traffic and jobs, as in evidenced by these severe cuts to our winter program in Budapest, which were made in direct response to this ridiculous ‘excess profit’ tax.

Cirium timetable data shows that Ryanair operates 61 routes from Budapest in September.

It comes after the Irish carrier said earlier this month it was scrapping its two-plane base at Brussels Airport this winter in protest at rising charges and new aviation taxes. Ryanair, which will continue to serve 12 routes to the airport from aircraft based outside Belgium, retains a base at Brussels Charleroi airport.