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| Ryanair to cut number of services at Edinburgh Airport | Ryanair to cut number of services at Edinburgh Airport |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced plans to cut the number of services it operates in and out of Edinburgh Airport. | |
| The carrier said the move could lead to the loss of up to 300 jobs. | |
| Ryanair plans to reduce the number of aircraft based at Edinburgh from seven to six, and will cut five routes. | |
| The move followed the breakdown in negotiations with operator BAA over a reduction in the charges Ryanair pays for using the airport. | |
| Ryanair said it would close the routes between Edinburgh and Berlin, Malmo, Murcia, Ibiza and Tallinn. | |
| However, flights to Berlin had already been stopped, and the routes serving Malmo, Murcia and Ibiza were only launched three weeks ago and have not yet started operating. | |
| Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said: "Ryanair regrets BAA Edinburgh Airport's rejection of our proposals for a competitive cost base which would allow Ryanair to further grow our traffic and routes for summer 2012. | |
| "Sadly BAA Edinburgh seems to prefer higher costs, even if it means fewer passengers and jobs at Edinburgh." | |
| He added: "While Ryanair remains committed to Edinburgh Airport (and with 1.5m passengers and 35 routes, we continue to be one of the largest airlines operating to/from Edinburgh), BAA Edinburgh cannot continue to ignore the competitive marketplace, where airports all over the UK and Europe have been reducing costs and lowering charges in return for traffic growth. | |
| "We hope even at this late stage that BAA Edinburgh will realise that the way to grow traffic and jobs is by working with Ryanair to lower passengers fares, not raise them." | |
| Airport sale | |
| Edinburgh Airport has become the company's largest hub in Scotland. | Edinburgh Airport has become the company's largest hub in Scotland. |
| Ryanair accounts for about a fifth of the airport's passengers. | Ryanair accounts for about a fifth of the airport's passengers. |
| Ryanair's contract with Edinburgh is up for renewal in October and the company warned of "significant further cuts" if the new five year agreement "is not extended on more competitive terms". | |
| Edinburgh Airport is being sold by BAA after it was told by competition regulators to let go of one of its Scottish hubs. | Edinburgh Airport is being sold by BAA after it was told by competition regulators to let go of one of its Scottish hubs. |
| BAA, of which Spanish company Ferrovial is a major shareholder, will keep Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Airport. | BAA, of which Spanish company Ferrovial is a major shareholder, will keep Aberdeen Airport and Glasgow Airport. |
| Final bids for Edinburgh Airport are due to be lodged by early April. | Final bids for Edinburgh Airport are due to be lodged by early April. |