Ryanair wants to cut municipal taxes, the Region: «They are worth 34 million, it is not easy»
The Irish carrier threatens to reduce connections with Sardinia. Friuli, Calabria and Abruzzo have eliminated the tax imposed for the use of the ports. Councilor Manca: «It costs us more, we must be certain of the consequences»
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Thirty-four million euros. This is the amount of the municipal tax that must be paid by airlines to land and take off from Sardinian airports. A useless and harmful tax, according to Ryanair, which through CEO Jason McGuinness this morning sent a clear message: «Remove it or we will reduce connections». That is: even fewer flights, especially in the low season. A consequence averted in other regions, which have eliminated the «municipal tax» and increased the destinations guaranteed by the Irish carrier.
But the cut is a difficult operation, according to the regional councilor for Transport Barbara Manca: «The suspension of the so-called “addizionale comunale” would necessarily involve the coverage of the lost revenue for the state treasury by the Region: it is essential», she underlines, «to think in a comprehensive framework of policies and interventions».
Translated: it can't be made that easy. Because "compared to the other Italian regions that have decided to take on the municipal surcharge, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Calabria and Abruzzo", explains the councilor, "Sardinia has a much higher value in terms of air market and passengers transported. In fact, the current revenue from the application of the surcharge on passengers transiting through Sardinian airports is worth 34 million euros", she explains, "almost double the overall value of the other three regions that have decided to suspend the application of the tax to airlines".
The Region-Ryanair meeting was held yesterday. If McGuinness sent a message today, during the presentation of the summer season, it means that there were no reassurances: the Department of Transport, as stated in a note from Villa Devoto, brought to the table with Ryanair its point of view and its strategy for the development of the free market, complementary to the routes in air continuity. The objective, it is explained, is that in the coming weeks the discussion can continue also with the involvement of all the carriers interested in Sardinia and with the support and sharing of the political forces representing the regional council.
"The hope is that any economic effort of the Region can translate into real benefits for the territory, with an increase in connections especially in less congested periods. Our goal is to promote a sustainable development of air traffic, which guarantees concrete advantages for Sardinian citizens and for the local economy", concludes Councilor Manca.
