TEESSIDE AIRPORT NEWS - 17/03/2009

Ryanair pulls Teesside - Dublin route

Budget carrier Ryanair has announced that it will no longer operate its service from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Dublin.

The news comes after the cost of air traffic control from Dublin was increased by 12 per cent and the Irish government unveiled plans to charge a tax of ten euros per passenger from next month.

Andrew Sugden, director of membership and policy at the Teesside airport, told the Journal: "This is unfortunate news for Durham Tees Valley Airport, which remains a strong airport with good international links.

"All airlines are looking ruthlessly at costs and it is important that businesses and individuals in the North East support their local airports," Mr Sugden added.

In line with decreasing passenger numbers throughout the country, Teesside Airport recently recorded a drop of 12 per cent, from 743,727 in 2007 to 655,017 in 2008.

The facility currently provides international flights for residents of nearby Middlesbrough and Durham, its website states.

Ryanair has commented that its routes to Barcelona and Alicante will be unaffected by the change.

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