Passing on the cost of tax on extra-profits to ordinary consumert is a no go, says Justice Minister.Continue reading
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary will hold a press conference at a hotel in Budapest on Tuesday afternoon, reported Világgazdaság, a Hungarian economic site. It is not yet known exactly what the head of the Irish low-cost airline will talk about, but some sources say he is preparing an extraordinary announcement.
Ryanair came into conflict with the Hungarian government over the extra profit tax in the summer, and both sides have publicly exchanged messages on several occasions. At the height of the row, Justice Minister Judit Varga announced that Hungary would impose a HUF 300 million (EUR 760,000) consumer protection fine on the low-cost airline.
In mid-August, Ryanair announced that eight cities would be removed from their Budapest destinations from October.
Meanwhile, Michael O’Leary was in Brussels last week to announce the airline’s withdrawal from the city’s airport. The executive explained this by the Belgian government’s introduction of a EUR 2-10 airline tax in April, adding that Zaventem would remain a blank spot for Ryanair until the airport reduces its charges and the “idiotic and discriminatory” flight tax is abolished.
Meanwhile, Ryanair will also close its Athens base between October this year and March of next year, for which O’Leary blamed the local operator and the Greek government.
As Index, a Hungarian news site puts it, it is possible that the Ryanair CEO is preparing a similar announcement in Budapest, where an extra profit tax has also been introduced, against which O’Leary has repeatedly spoken out.
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