Ryanair is planning a "catastrophic" change for UK tourists flying to Greece, it has been warned. Concerns are growing in Thessaloniki over reports that the major low-cost carrier may shut down its base at Makedonia Airport.
The airline operates 109 weekly flights from the city, raising fears of a "catastrophe" if services are cut. According to local sources, the Irish carrier is dissatisfied with a proposed 15 per cent increase in airport charges.
Emergency Meeting Called
The issue has prompted an emergency meeting convened by Thessaloniki mayor Stelios Angeloudis. "Priority for everyone is and must be the interest of the city," the municipal authority said.
Tourism representatives added that "if the reason for the possible closure… is the high increases, then Fraport should reconsider its pricing policy".
"It is a low-cost airline… and its departure would have characteristics of a 'catastrophe' for the region's tourism," said travel agent Stefanos Chatzimanolis.
Industry Voices Raise Alarm
"In such a case, it will show how attractive a brand Thessaloniki has," said Konstantinos Kourakos. Andreas Mandrinos, president of the Thessaloniki Hoteliers Association, stated: "We are not taken by surprise; it is a complex issue that requires delicate handling. There is room for negotiation."
Giorgos Broutzas, director of the Halkidiki Tourism Organisation, warned: "Unfortunately, we cannot do much, as these are two private companies that decide their own moves." He added that "we believed Ryanair would be the last to show willingness to reduce its flight operations from Thessaloniki".
Others believed it could be "catastrophic". Broutzas warned "there is concern, as many German and Italian tourists visiting the region arrive on Ryanair flights".
Broader Regional Impact
Iraklis Tsitlakidis, president of the Pieria Hoteliers Association, warned that such a development "would be extremely negative for tourism in Pieria and the wider area served by Thessaloniki's airport". He cautioned that "this would be a setback of many years in efforts towards extroversion, growth and the internationalisation of our tourism product".
He concluded that "instead of discussing departures, we must work collectively towards the exact opposite: strengthening the presence not only of Ryanair but of all airlines at Thessaloniki Airport".
