Feldkirchen bei Graz, 18/07/2012: The European aviation industry currently finds itself in a difficult economic situation. The airline Ryanair therefore sees it necessary to withdraw from Graz this coming winter. Graz Airport, Styria and Graz Tourism are currently engaged in intense negotiations with the Irish airline in order to be able to re-establish the connections to London next summer.
“Winter is a naturally difficult time, even for destinations like London/Stansted”, says Mag. Gerhard Widmann, Managing Director of Graz Airport. “We try to support our partner airlines as much as possible, especially in difficult times. Together with our partners, we are working intensely to have London back on the flight plan in summer 2013”.
Georg Bliem, Managing Director of Styria Tourism, adds: “We are fighting for every airline and every route which keep Graz and Styria part of the international aviation network. It is therefore more than regrettable that the connection to London is now temporarily suspended. The conditions for airlines to remain attractive are getting ever more difficult in an international context. Keeping connections open throughout summer is also of great importance for international tourist arrivals”.
“It is unfortunate that Ryanair will no longer be flying to Graz in the winter months, but in these difficult times for the aviation business it is not particularly surprising. The summer flight plan is crucial for tourism and we are confident that we will again be able to offer direct connections to London as of April next year”, explains MMag. Dieter Hardt-Stremayr, Managing Director of Graz Tourism.
In particular, the current high prices of aviation fuel coupled with air passenger taxes mean that Ryanair is hesitant about the Austrian market. The prospect of a €1 reduction is just a drop in the ocean.
F L U G H A F E N G R A Z
Betriebs GmbH
Pressestelle
A-8073 Feldkirchen
Tel. +43-316-2902-320; Fax +43-316-2902-86; poelt.doris@flughafen-graz.at
www.flughafen-graz.at