Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair recently explained the proposed massive cuts his airline will be offering from Stansted Airport this winter.  The new UK airport tax was the primary reason given for these drastic cuts, which could be as high as 30 percent of the total flights offered.  In addition to the airport tax, Ryanair expects fewer customers this winter as the sluggish global economy takes its toll on the travel industry.

Mr. O’ Leary, who has been a vocal critic of the airport tax, says Ryanair hopes to lessen its losses in the future winter months.  These months are forecasted to be poor for the travel industry at large, as many airlines and other travel related companies take measure to insure their continued existence.  Some feel this airport tax could be the nail in the coffin for the already fading travel industry.

“Ryanair’s 40% capacity cutback at London Stansted shows just how much Gordon Brown’s £10 tourist tax is damaging London and UK tourism and the British economy generally,” said Mr. O’Leary in a prepared statement given this week.

Stansted airport tried to diminish the pessimism by claiming that the winter months are always slower and that these numbers don’t represent a new trend, rather a continuation of the typical travel cycle.  Mr. O’ Leary countered by claiming that UK airports can expect ten million less travelers as the same time last year.

The above quotes come BBC News.  For the entire article, please visit their webpage.