Chairman thinks the end is nigh for Rygge Airport

RYGGE. Rygge Airport outside Moss.Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen / SCANPIX

The chairman of Rygge Civil Airport, Svein Hurlen, says the most airports will most likely close down when the plane seat fee is introduced on 1 June.

Ryanair is sticking to its decision to move. It seems like we will have to close down.That seems to be the case, unfortunately, says  chairman of the board Svein Hurlen in Rygge Civil Airport says to AS ABC News.
The introduction of aircraft seat fee has meant that Ryanair has terminated its   agreement with Rygge from 1 November. If the Irish budget airline disappears, the number of passengers from Rygge  will decrease from 1.6 million to 500,000, which management believes will mean that the airport will be run at a loss.
– The traffic at Rygge constitute less than 1 percent of  the total traffic of  Ryanair, and they are tired of the Norwegian authorities. It has been almost unbelievable that they wanted to use this airport for their flights. With the introductio of this fee  it will be 60-70 million cheaper for them to be based at Landvetter outside  of Gothenburg instead, he replies.
Although no decisions have been made yet about the future of the airport.  Hurlen says that it will probably be closed down.
Asked by the newspaper Fredriksstad Blad if there is hope for Rygge he replies:
– In order for Rygge to be saved, the owners would have to invest an incredible number of millions, so no, I do not think so.
He adds that they will run as normal through the summer and until November 1st.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today