Ryanair last week announced deep cuts of up to 80% at its Alicante base from October, following AENA Alicante’s decision the previous week to force Ryanair to use airbridges, and pay over €2m p.a. extra for these unnecessary facilities. Ryanair has been operating at Alicante Airport for over five years without the use of airbridges and the airline claimed this decision by AENA Alicante is an abuse of its monopoly.

Ryanair has submitted a formal complaint about this monopoly abuse by AENA Alicante to both the Spanish Government and the European Commission.

In response Ryanair announces the following deep cuts at its Alicante base with the introduction of its winter 2011/12 schedule from October as follows:

• From 11 to 2 base aircraft (down 80%).

• From 62 to 31 routes (loss of 31 routes).

• From over 600 to less than 200 weekly flights.

• From over 4M to fewer than 1.5M passengers p.a.

• The loss of over 2,500 jobs at Alicante.

Ryanair pointed out that the new terminal at Alicante has exactly the same boarding gate stairs as the old terminal, which would allow Ryanair’s flights to continue to apply its walk on/walk off boarding facilities. The use of airbridges, will significantly delay Ryanair turnarounds (because passengers can only use the front door), will lead to more handling delays and will increase Ryanair’s costs at Alicante by over €2m p.a.