Mike sent a message to Michael O’Leary – CEO, Ryanair – Email Address that said:
6th June 2016
FAO Mr Michael O’Leary, CEO, Ryanair
Dear Mr O’Leary,
I am writing to you as a resident of both Abruzzo and the UK regarding your decision to pull out of Pescara Airport in Southern Italy.
I fully understand your point of principle with regards to a reluctance to pay an additional passenger tax by the Italian Authorities. We all have points of principle but the majority of us take a stand so that it only affect us in a personal way. The way you are taking action unfortunately means that a large number of people are being affected through no fault of their own.
The airport itself has a very limited tourism role. The majority of flights into and out of the airport are by residents who have property in Abruzzo but have family and friends in other countries. We use the airport to maintain contact with families and friends and, having lived and worked in Ireland in the past, the family institution is much valued by yourself and your fellow countrymen. The resident Italians use the airport to return home from working overseas or to go on educational trips.
If the reluctance to continue serving the airport is because of a passenger levy, I can assure you that we would be wiling and able to pay a supplement to cover the Italian Authorities request. At least we would be able to keep family and friends in regular personal contact. That way you would have a win/win situation – you maintain a good relationship with your customers and you don’t lose money from the supplement.
I would ask that you reconsider your decision with regards to the closure of Pescara Airport so that we can all maintain a good family life.
Thank you for reading the above and please contact me if you would like to discuss the above further. I hope, of course, that you will continue to fly into Pescara for the sake of the residents and the commuters.
Kind regards
Mike
