Manchester airport’s refusal to lower its fees has led to Ryanair closing nine out of 10 routes from the airport, and threatening 600 jobs.

The decision by the airline, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, will affect 600,000 passengers each year and 44 weekly flights being scrapped.

Ryanair reported that it had offered the airport an additional 28 flights per week, which would mean further 400,000 passengers per year, creating 400 jobs for the airport if they cut their fees.  Manchester airport rejected the offer.

From October 1, Ryanair will close routes from Manchester to Barcelona, Bremen, Brussles, Cagliari, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Marseille, Milan and Shannon.  Passengers who are booked on closed routes after this date will be notified by email and given the option of a full refund or an alternative departure point, including Ryanair’s new hub at Leeds Bradford, East Midlands or Liverpool.

The airline will continue the route from Manchester to Dublin.

Ryanair spokesman, Stephen McNamara said: “Ryanair continues to lower fares to encourage travel, but with passengers paying lower fares airports must lower their charges – particularly high-cost airports like Manchester, Stansted and Dublin. Ryanair had offered new routes, traffic and growth to Manchester airport but since they prefer to preserve their high-cost base than to grow, Ryanair will now switch/close nine Manchester routes.”

With forecasts of a tough winter for airlines, Ryanair has already announced cuts in flights at Stansted and Dublin, and could possibly reduce fares by up to 20 percent in order to fill seats.   Its average fare could be reduced from €40 (£35) to €32, including baggage check-in charges, in order to fill its 200-strong fleet that will increase to 300 aircraft by 2012.

Thanks to the Telegraph for the above quotes.  For more information on this article please visit their website.