Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline has confirmed that it plans to build a base in Bratislava with three aircraft and 20 new routes but that the plan will be completed only if the Bratislava Airport reduces airport fees by at least 70 percent, daily SME reported.

“70-percent is acceptable, however, 100-percent is ideal,” said Henrike Schmidt, Ryanair's marketing manager for Slovakia. Ryanair will not go further in negotiations below 70 percent, she added.

“If the airport accepts the maximum requirements of Ryanair, its revenue will not increase since Ryanair requires a drastic reduction of fees. Therefore we will consider the conditions carefully,” said Dana Madunická, spokeswoman of M.R. Štefánik Airport in Bratislava.

The Slovak Ministry of Transport, which holds a 48-percent stake in the airport, considers such conduct unfair.

“The airport deserves money for its services. The fees should at least cover the costs,” said Stanislav Jurikovič, spokesman of transport ministry.

Austrian newspaper Die Presse wrote on Thursday, October 29, that Ryanair is also pushing to reduce the airport fees at Vienna Airport. Ryanair head Michael O'Leary said that if Bratislava does not take advantage of the potential that Ryanair is offering, there are other airports that are willing to accept such conditions proposed by the company. According to Die Presse, the Vienna
Airport is not considering meeting these conditions.

Prepared by Adam Valček
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.