Ryanair is to cut its overall UK winter capacity by 16% from November. The airline says this is due to the UK government's £11 tourist tax, which it claims is continuing to damage British traffic, tourism and jobs.
Winter capacity at London Stansted will also be cut by 17% from November. Ryanair said it will base 22 planes in Stansted this winter, down from last year's 24.
The airline said it will switch those London based aircraft to other European bases where tourist taxes have been scrapped and which offer reduced passenger charges.
Ryanair said it will cut winter flights at most of its other UK bases, except Edinburgh and Leeds Bradford.
'Ryanair's 16% UK capacity cutback shows just how much the UK tourist tax and the BAA's high airport charges are damaging UK tourism and the British economy generally,' commented Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.
Ryanair shares closed down more than 1% at €3.60 in Dublin this afternoon.
