THE DUBLIN Airport Authority (DAA) has attributed a fall in departing seat capacity to economic factors, stating that airlines have reduced capacity in response to the downturn.
The DAA added that the poor performance of Ireland in relation to other European economies, along with the strength of the euro against sterling, has added to the fall in capacity.
The departing seat capacity of Dublin airport fell by nearly 168,000 this month, from just over one million in December 2008 to 860,000 at present.
A report of 25 European airports, compiled by independent consultants RDC Aviation, shows that Dublin airport suffered the highest drop, followed by Amsterdam which dropped nearly 125,000, and Paris Orly which dropped 93,500.
The authority rejected Ryanair’s claims that charges levied on airlines by the DAA are too high, which has led to the fall in seat capacity.
A spokesperson said: “Charges at Dublin airport have fallen by 30 per cent in real terms over the past 20 years.”
The Aviation Regulator set passenger charges earlier this month, which are expected to increase to €9.97 per passenger for the five-year period to 2015.
“Dublin airport’s charges will remain highly competitive compared to its European peers, as they had an average charge of €12.50 per passenger in 2008.”
Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara blamed the fall in seat capacity on the €10 passenger tax introduced by the Government in the April Budget, along with “high charges at the DAA monopoly”, which he claimed “have made Dublin an uncompetitive, expensive, destination”.
Mr McNamara said Irish aviation would suffer further in 2010, following the Aviation Regulator’s increase in passenger charges.
In July, Ryanair cut four routes from Dublin and reduced frequency on another eight.