Prefers to fly to Linz

Ryanair is increasingly focusing on regional airports

Ryanair is moving away from Vienna Airport.

(Bild: P. Huber)

Europe's largest airline, the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, is targeting over 200 million passengers for the first time this year. Around seven million are expected to come from Austria. The number of routes in this country has been increased by five to 92 in the summer timetable. Because Vienna-Schwechat Airport is too expensive, according to CEO Michael O'Leary, the focus is on regional airports.

The desire to travel continues unabated worldwide. At the same time, people are more concerned about money than ever before. A perfect combination for Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary to drive the growth of his low-cost airline. Over 200 million passengers are expected for the first time this year, compared to "only" 148 million before the coronavirus crisis. This makes it not only the clear number one in Europe ahead of the Lufthansa Group with AUA, Swiss & Co. but also the clear growth winner.

Low-cost airlines grew strongly
The low-cost airline is also growing strongly in Austria every year. Since 2019, the increase in passengers has been an impressive 160 percent. At AUA, it was only one percent, according to reports. This year, Ryanair aims to welcome more than seven million guests at Vienna, Linz, Salzburg and Klagenfurt airports for the first time. The majority of these, 6.7 million, will be in the Austrian capital. "This means a total of 130,000 additional seats for the three regional airports this year," adds Andreas Gruber, Country Manager of Ryanair in Austria.

The number of routes has also been increased by five to 92 for the summer flight schedule. Three new destinations are in the program from Linz (Bari, London, Alicante) and one new route each from Salzburg (Alicante) and Vienna (Salerno).

In the summer timetable, Ryanair flies directly from Linz Airport to London, Bari and Alicante.

(Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel)

Criticism of high fees in Vienna
The growth in Vienna could be much greater if the costs were not so high. This year, Vienna Airport has again increased its fees by five percent, criticizes O'Leary. In an international comparison, air traffic charges in this country are the second highest in the EU after Germany. As a first consequence, the Ryanair fleet stationed in Vienna has therefore been reduced by one aircraft to 18.

At the same time, the offer at the cheaper regional airports is being expanded. The lower fees are probably one of the main reasons why Ryanair is also flying from Linz for the first time this summer.

Ticket fee slows down Ryanair's growth in Austria
O'Leary is also fiercely opposed to the ticket tax of twelve euros per passenger in Austria. If the future government does not abolish the tax, Ryanair will only grow "very little" in Austria. At the same time, the airline boss promises an increase of 50 percent in Austria by 2030 if the air traffic tax is abolished. Countries such as Sweden, Hungary and, in some cases, Italy have already rowed back and eliminated the tax.

Ticket prices stable to slightly rising
As far as the general development of ticket prices is concerned, consumers can expect stable to slightly rising prices. Last year, prices surprisingly fell by eight percent, according to reports.