Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has announced that it will transfer three aircraft, 16 new routes, and over 200 jobs from Dublin Airport to Calabria, a region in southern Italy. The decision was made in response to a passenger cap imposed by planners at Dublin Airport, which limits the annual number of passengers to 32 million.
Ryanair claims that the cap hinders the growth of Irish tourism and aviation and has called on the Green Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, to either lift the cap or resign. The airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, accused the minister of “inaction and incompetence” and said the relocation benefits “could have gone to Dublin”.
The passenger cap at Dublin Airport has sparked a legal and public relations battle between Ryanair and the government and a broader debate over the balance between economic expansion and environmental responsibility in the aviation industry. The cap was introduced to reduce noise and carbon emissions and comply with EU regulations.
Meanwhile, Calabria is set to benefit from Ryanair’s move, as the region will see an increase in traffic and tourism, as well as the creation of up to 200 jobs for pilots, crew, and engineers. Ryanair said the new routes will connect Calabria with European destinations, such as London, Paris, Berlin, and Barcelona. The airline also praised the regional government of Calabria for its support and cooperation.
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