Updated 6.08pm
RYANAIR, THE AIRLINE famous for finding new and ever-creative ways of getting money from customers, has announced its latest charge on passengers.
From next Tuesday 17 January, all passengers will have to pay a new additional levy of 25c on all flights.
Ryanair say that the new charge is to cover its bill from a tax which has been introduced by the EU on airlines in a bid to combat climate change.
However a Fine Gael MEP has described Ryanair’s charge as a “complete joke”.
The EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) tax requires all airlines flying in and out of EU countries to pay for the carbon dioxide created during the flight.
“Ryanair does not believe that European aviation should be included in the ETS scheme since it accounts for less than 2 per cent of the EU’s CO2 emissions,” said Ryanair spokesperson Stephen McNamara.
“This latest EU stealth tax will damage traffic, tourism, European competitiveness and jobs at a time when no other economic block is including aviation in their ETS schemes”.
However MEP Jim Higgins criticised the airline for its move.
“This is a complete joke. Next thing Ryanair will introduce an EU safety charge, as the EU has imposed certain safety standards which all airlines have to meet, and there is a cost involved in respecting those same standards,” Higgins said.
“I wonder is Michael O’Leary suggesting that airlines should have no regulation at all by the EU?”
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