In the past week, European carrier, Ryanair, has challenged Athens Airport (ATH) in Greece, over unjustified tax increases.
This article will cover the details surrounding Ryanair’s challenge on the tax increases and their reasoning behind the challenge.
Ryanair’s Challenge Against Athens
On July 26, 2024, low-cost carrier, Ryanair, has confirmed its challenge against the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) regarding Athens Airport (ATH).
The Greek Government has made the decision to reduce aviation taxes by 75%. This reduction in taxes will mean that the fee per passenger will reduce from €12 to €3. This is set to come into effect from November 2024.
Greece’s decision to reduce these taxes is a bid to help grow off-peak connectivity and tourism to Greece.
The issue lies with Athens Airport and Fraport Greece, whereby they have no plans to adopt these reductions, and instead actually increase their charges. Ultimately, in a bid to combat the Government’s decision of keeping the taxes for themselves.
From Athens, Ryanair currently serves the following countries –
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece (Other domestic airports)
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Malta
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Senior Comments
Ryanair’s Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness, has commented on their challenge, saying. “Athens Airport and Fraport Greece’s shameless attempt to pocket the aviation tax cut by the Greek State from November 2024, is outrageous, and runs counter to government policy to support growth and tourism.”
“The Greek State took the sensible decision to reduce access costs across all Greek airports from November 2024, positioning Greece to move away from chronic seasonality and position itself for year-round connectivity.”
“Governments across Europe (e.g., Hungary, Sweden, and Italy) are scrapping or reducing their aviation taxes as they realise they need to reduce costs given the constraints within European short-haul capacity.”
“It is unjust for the German monopolies, Athens Airport and Fraport Greece, to be allowed to divert the benefit of Greek tax cuts away from Greek passengers back to their German head offices.”
“Ryanair calls on the Greek Government and the Greek Regulator (HCAA) to protect passengers and local economies by ensuring Athens Airport and Fraport Greece respect the decision of the Greek Government to reduce access costs and pass through the full tax cut to Greek citizens / visitors from November 2024.”
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