Airports claim Ryanair is hurting duty free shopping

On Wednesday airports in Europe complained that Ryanair’s new regulation limiting carry-ons to one bag per passenger will hurt their revenues derived from airport shopping.

The European arm of Airports Council International, representing 440 members throughout Europe, said that carriers “need to appreciate” that half of airport revenues come from retail sales, which allows them to keep landing fees below actual cost.

Ireland-based Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget carrier, replied that passengers were free to shop as long as they could fit their purchases into one 10kgs carry-on.

The airline added that there was plenty of opportunity for airports to reduce costs by improving operating efficiencies.

“Passengers have no interest in airport shopping,” a Ryanair spokesman said. “They simply want to get through airport terminals and onto their aircraft with the shortest possible queuing time and inconvenience.”

The airports involved did not estimate how much they might lose due to Ryanair’s new regulation, when went into effect last Sunday.

Ryanair will charge passengers €30 for a second bag brought on board the plane, in addition to the one briefcase, handbag, laptop or other bag already permitted.

Airline passenger traffic is decline worldwide as worsening economic conditions force individuals and businesses to reduce travel expenditures.

Thanks to www.iht.com for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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