Ryanair blames 'eco-looney tax' for fare rise

RYANAIR PASSENGERS will have to pay an additional 25 cent per flight from next Tuesday to cover the cost of a new eco-tax, the airline said yesterday.

The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) involves a tax, whereby airlines are given a limit or cap on the amount of a pollutant that can be emitted.

Within this cap, companies receive emission allowances which they can sell to or buy from one another as needed. Describing the tax as an “eco-looney tax”, Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said the new tax would cost its passengers between €15 million and €20 million this year.

“Ryanair does not believe that European aviation should be included in the ETS scheme since it accounts for less than 2 per cent of the EU’s CO2 emissions,” he said. “This latest EU stealth tax will damage traffic, tourism, European competitiveness and jobs at a time when no other economic bloc is including aviation in their ETS schemes.”

He said the ETS tax was the latest in a long line of cost increases imposed on Europe’s air passengers by the EU.

But MEP for Ireland North West Jim Higgins criticised the 25 cent fare increase, describing it as a “complete joke”. He predicted that Ryanair would also introduce an EU safety charge, as the EU has imposed certain safety standards which all airlines have to meet. “I wonder is Mr [Michael] O’Leary suggesting that airlines should have no regulation at all by the EU?” he asked.

The 25 cent charge comes one month after Ryanair announced an increase in baggage charges for peak travel periods.

Those who choose to book and pay for their checked bags through the Ryanair call centre or at the airport will see the fee rise significantly, with at least €100 being charged for the first bag during high season.

Passengers who book and pay for their checked bags when they book online will face a hike of €5, to €25 during peak times. According to Ryanair, the peak times for travel are June, July, August, September and Christmas 2012. The fee for baggage for passengers travelling at off-peak times remains at €15 a bag booked online.

From next Monday, those who fail to print their own boarding card will be charged €60 to have the card reissued, compared to the current rate of €40.