Ryanair slash routes at Alicante airport

 

The new winter schedule for Ryanair is due to be launched on their website next week, where it is expected to confirm substantial changes at Alicante's El Altet airport.

A total of 31 routes are expected to be cancelled altogether, with a further 28 routes having a reduction in frequencies.

Ryanair currently provides around 40% of flights at El Altet airport, and with an estimated 4 million passengers flying into Alicante with Ryanair last year. The cuts will see the figures fall to 1.5 million in 2012.

Whilst the front end of the company's website is still showing all routes as being available, the changes have been applied to the online booking facility. The updates are expected to be applied as from the beginning of November when Ryanair launch their winter timetables.

Neither Ryanair or AENA / Aeromur have been forthcoming with information concerning their possible move to Corvera International airport in Murcia.

Ryanair's relationship with AENA and Alicante airport has been strained since the mandatory use of airbridges has been forced upon the airline, which is estimated to carry an additional cost of 2 million euros per year to the airline.

Few doubt that Ryanair will go ahead with the cuts, but speculation is that it is simply brinksmanship on the airline's part in blackmailing the airport into getting their own way.

Cut routes will include : Bournemouth, Derry, Cork, Doncaster, Humberside, Kerry and Knock.