European low-cost giant Ryanair has resigned from the UK Aviation Council – in spectacular Ryanair fashion.
Following the announcement that it might depart the government-backed industry group on Tuesday, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary took to Sky News to deliver a scathing criticism of Transport Minister Baroness Charlotte Vere and the committee’s slow progress.
“Talking shops and inaction”
Chatting with host Ian King, O’Leary dubbed Vere slamming the department’s ineffectiveness in resolving ongoing staffing shortages across the National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
The comments closely follow O’Leary’s earlier remarks concerning the carrier’s departure from the industry-wide UK Aviation Council, noting the growing “talking shop” nature of meetings and failure to satisfy any of its achievable goals.
,” O’Leary explained.
Photo: MC Mediastudio I Shutterstock.
Working forwards
Launched back in February, the UK Aviation Council was convened by the federal government as a part of its ten-year plan to revitalize the country’s industry, with goals including bolstering sustainability policy and improving airport capability. Other members include low-cost competitors easyJet and Jet2, flag carrier British Airways, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the UK’s largest international airports, with Baroness Vere and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) CEO Stewart Wingate sitting as chair and co-chair, respectively.
Photo: katatonia82 / Shutterstock.com
Earlier this yr, Ryanair called on the group to push for effective airspace reforms across Europe, hire more Border Control employees, reduce UK Visas to £1,000 ($1,300), and restore temporary IDs at airports to limit staffing issues; nevertheless, O’Leary notes that no motion has been taken in the following months and funding stays limited, with the body not set to report until April 2024.
Following the carrier’s departure from the group, O’Leary outlined his concerns in a letter to Vere, condemning her inaction, and released an organization statement that called for her resignation with immediate effect.
Chatting with Reuters, the UK government called Ryanair’s decision to go away and emphasized the group’s goal to handle shared challenges facing the sector.
Ryanair has not ruled out returning to the UK Aviation Council, providing it perceives Vere – or another Aviation Minister – listening to its airline members and acting on prior requests.
added O’Leary, noting his preference for transport secretary and Forest of Dean MP, Mark Harper, to fill the role.
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