Ryanair closes Glasgow International base, blames passenger taxes

Ryanair will close its base at Glasgow International Airport in Scotland because of the UK’s high passenger taxes, and will transfer routes to Edinburgh, some 45 miles to the east. “Ryanair regrets these cuts in the weaker Glasgow market where efforts to stimulate low fare demand are severely hampered by the continuing burden of APD [Air Passenger Duty],” the airline CCO David O’Brien said. The UK’s departure tax, or APD, is one of the highest in the world and UK airlines have for years complained it has a depressing effect on the market. “As a result, we will transfer our Glasgow International-based aircraft to Edinburgh in November where we will offer 11 new routes … and deliver over 3.5 million passengers per annum at Edinburgh Airport,” O’Brien said. A single Boeing 737-800 is based at Glasgow International; Ryanair is maintaining its base at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. A Glasgow International spokesman said the airport is “bitterly disappointed” at Ryanair’s decision, which would affect the connectivity of the city and the surrounding area, and result in the loss of around 100 jobs.<br/>