Ryanair Hits Denmark Hard with Billund Base Closure, Threatening Ireland’s Connectivity and Economic Growth Amid New Aviation Tax

Friday, January 31, 2025

Ryanair, Europe’s leading airline, has revealed its decision to close its Billund base, which includes two aircraft, and to end all routes connecting to and from Aalborg by the end of March. This move follows the Danish government’s controversial implementation of an aviation tax, set to reach up to DKK 50 per departing passenger starting in January 2025. Ryanair’s decision also stems from Billund’s failure to secure a competitive long-term agreement.

Denmark is among the few European countries still struggling to regain its pre-pandemic air traffic, currently at just 95% of the levels seen in 2019. The introduction of this aviation tax is expected to further hinder Denmark’s connectivity, tourism industry, and overall economy. The tax puts Denmark at a significant disadvantage, particularly regional airports, when compared to other EU nations such as Sweden, Italy, and Hungary, which are eliminating their aviation taxes to foster growth in traffic, employment, and economic development. In stark contrast, Denmark’s new tax policy has already led to a loss of over 1.7 million seats, 32 routes, two aircraft, and countless jobs and investments.

By 2030

Ryanair has informed its pilots and cabin crew stationed at Billund about the closure of the base. The airline is providing affected employees with opportunities to transfer to comparable positions at other locations within its extensive network across the Ryanair Group.

A Ryanair spokesperson said:

“We are very disappointed to announce the closure of our 2 aircraft Billund base and our operations at Aalborg from the end of March, but we have been left with no other choice following the Danish Govt’s short-sighted decision to introduce a harmful aviation tax from Jan 2025.

Ryanair is the only major airline growing in Europe, and cost is the main factor when deciding where to allocate aircraft and growth. Unfortunately, this harmful aviation tax makes Denmark (especially regional Denmark) hopelessly uncompetitive compared to other EU countries, like Sweden, Hungary, and Italian regions, who are abolishing aviation taxes to stimulate traffic recovery and growth. As a result, Denmark’s connectivity, traffic, jobs, economic recovery, and growth will suffer irreparable damage – particularly in regional airports where they are reliant on efficient, low-cost air travel – as this capacity (1.7m seats, 32 routes, and 2 aircraft) is reallocated to lower cost airports elsewhere in the extensive Ryanair Group.”

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