A serious accusation against Fraport Greece has been published in an announcement by Ryanair. The airline states that the operator of Greek regional airports is “planning an increase of up to 390% in Kalamata airport fees“. This, as it continues, would make “yet another Greek regional airport desperately uncompetitive”. Thus, it would harm Greek tourism. Ryanair issued an announcement on Friday, June 4, in which it already states that Fraport Greece has imposed fee increases at other Greek airports in recent years. The airline is being damaged, as it reports that these developments affect its operational costs in the Greek market. Ryanair also links the charge increases to its decision to terminate certain winter flights to Greece, such as its base in Thessaloniki and routes to and from Chania and Heraklion.
Ryanair: “Incredible the possibility of quadrupling fees”
Continuing, the airline estimates that a potential significant increase in fees at Kalamata could affect the airport’s competitiveness and have consequences on passenger traffic, particularly outside the summer period. Ryanair calls on the Greek government to examine the impact of concession contracts and pricing policies at regional airports, which harm Greece’s competitiveness and operate in favor of the operator.
Ryanair’s commercial director, Jason McGinnes, in his statement characterized as “incredible” the possibility of quadrupling fees at Kalamata, considers the proposed increases “excessive” and estimates they could lead to restrictions on air traffic and available options for passengers. At the same time, he emphasized that Kalamata and other regional airports in the country have the potential to attract significant traffic throughout the year and reduce intense seasonality. However, as he noted, this can only be achieved if Fraport Greece freezes airport fee increases and passes on in full to passengers the 75% reduction in the Airport Development Fee.
