With a big push from its busiest airline, Ireland is being told to do more to revive air traffic in the post-pandemic world. Ryanair is warning that without government support, Dublin Airport might not recover its previous level for years.
The government has provided a recovery scheme for the airports, some of which fell to 5% of their previous traffic level and lost hundreds of routes and flights, but that program will end next spring for Dublin, while continuing to October for Shannon, Cork, Knock and Kerry.
Ryanair, which had pledged to restore its full 2019-level schedules at airports which have the scheme through October says that if it’s not extended to October for Dublin, there could be a permanent 35% loss.
In other Irish aviation news, U.S. airlines American and United have announced they will resume their New York-to-Shannon services next spring after two years. Regional flights are picking up as well, with Scottish carrier Loganair resuming service from Dublin to two cities in Scotland and a new service will link Dublin with the Channel Islands.
