Ryanair, a budget airline, is pulling out their Blackpool International Airport services in protest over the new £10 passenger fee. The airport development fee is going to be payable by every passenger who is over 16 years of age and leaving from the Blackpool International Airport, starting on January 5^th.

This move has prompted a axing of daily flights to Dublin by Ryanair, as well as their Girona services. A spokesman for the carrier said that this is Blackpool International Airport’s black day. The airport development fee is being brought about in order to create funding, as well as to get more passengers in the door, according to an airport spokesman.

In an attempt to balance the extra airport development fee costs, all parking fees, for as long as 15-day parking, will be lifted at the turn of the year. The additional profit is going to be used for funding a development plan worth £2 million for upgrading runways, customer facilitates, and taxi-ways.

Michael Cawley, the Deputy Chief Executive at Blackpool International Airport, said that the decision from the management, against the advice of Ryanair, to initiate an airport development fee is extremely regressive, which involves a significant rise in travel costs for passengers throughout the airport.

David Kershaw, the Chief Executive of the airport, said that they have announced a significant investment plan, which will secure the Blackpool International Airport’s future, as well as help growth at the international gateway of Lancashire. Funds derived from the new fee will support further investment into improved facilities from the owners, he continued, as well as help attract other carriers, who will increase the choice of routes for their passengers.

Get more information about the carrier and airport at: www.ryanair.com -or- www.blackpoolinternational.com