Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) has announced its return to Belfast International but has warned a 50% cut of the UK government's air passenger duty (APD) on domestic flights was not enough.

Ryanair, in October 2021, had ceased flights from both Belfast airports blaming the cost of operating and the APD, a tax levied on air passengers, which varies according to destination and class of travel.

Announcing Ryanair's return to Belfast, Commercial Director Jason McGuinness used the opportunity to call on the government to scrap the APD on all flights, adding a 50% cut on domestic flights from April 2023 was "simply insufficient".

The rate for UK domestic flights is due to halve to GPP6.50 pounds (USD7.69) from April 2023, while the rate for flights of 2,000 to 5,500 miles (3,218km to 8,851km) is set to rise to GBP87 (USD102), and the rate for journeys over 5,500 miles (8,851km) is set to rise to GBP91 (USD107).

"Our decision to launch close to 80 weekly domestic flights to/from East-Midlands, Edinburgh, London-Stansted, and Manchester demonstrates that lower aviation taxes and competitive airport charges are the catalyst for long-term traffic growth and increased connectivity. To enable additional investment from Ryanair (and other airlines) from next Summer onwards, the UK government must immediately scrap aviation taxes for all flights; otherwise, it will put the UK (an island-based economy) at risk of losing air traffic to competing European countries," he stressed.

Ryanair said its Summer 2023 schedule from Belfast would feature 12 international routes and the launch of new domestic services. The Irish budget carrier will base two aircraft in Belfast to operate 115 weekly flights, including to sun destinations such as Alicante, Girona, and Malaga (Spain), and Faro (Portugal). New UK domestic services from Belfast include Nottingham East Midlands, Edinburgh, London Stansted, and Manchester International.

Belfast International Airport's Chief Financial Officer Dan Owens said the return of Ryanair would increase the number of destinations from the airport to more than 70.

Ryanair will go back in the ring with easyJet, which currently holds 79% market share in terms of weekly airline seats at Belfast International, according to the ch-aviation capacities module. Other competitors at Belfast include Jet2 (United Kingdom), TUI Airways, and Wizz Air.