The new routes that the Irish airline has activated in the region for summer 2024 are, without doubt, the most important expansion of regional air transport that marks the beginning of a long-term growth strategy to position Calabria as a leading destination in Europe in the tourism sector.
The launch of the new base in Reggio Calabria, which strengthens Ryanair’s presence in Calabria, will create up to 200 new jobs, along with a substantial investment of $100 million in new aircraft.
Furthermore, Ryanair will continue to develop connectivity at its Lamezia base with a new route to Valencia. Thus reaching 18 routes in total and over 180 weekly flights. In Crotone, however, it will add a new connection to Turin (reaching 4 in total) and over 30 weekly flights, with a growth in connectivity of 13% and 33% respectively in Lamezia and Crotone.
Ryanair’s summer 2024 Calabria operation will offer: 2 aircraft based ($200 million) – 1 new in Reggio Calabria and 1 in Lamezia; 10 new routes – 8 from Reggio to Barcelona, Berlin, Bologna, Manchester, Marseille, Tirana, Turin, Venice / 1 from Lamezia to Valencia / 1 from Crotone to Turin. 30 total routes (8 in Reggio / 18 in Lamezia / 4 in Crotone).
Air traffic on the rise
In Calabria traffic grows by over 20% up to 1.3 million passengers for the S24. Over 1,200 jobs in the Region. Record capacity, connectivity and low tariffs for the Calabria Region.
“As the number 1 airline in Europe and Italy – declared Ryanair’s CEO, Eddie Wilson -, our company is pleased to announce this important investment in Calabria with the opening of a new base (investment of 100 million of dollars) in Reggio Calabria and 10 new routes for summer 2024.
Overall, Ryanair will record a capacity growth of more than 20% spread across all 3 Calabrian airports (Lamezia, Crotone and Reggio). This major expansion marks the start of a long-term strategy with President Occhiuto and the Region to position Calabria as a leading destination in Europe and grow inbound tourism, connectivity and employment, while offering low fares to citizens/visitors.
Calabria: a destination to be discovered both in Italy and in Europe
Calabria is a destination waiting to be discovered both in Italy and in Europe, and deserves more connectivity, more tourism all year round and more jobs that only Ryanair can offer. Calabria will now enjoy a boom in inbound tourism thanks to the spectacular growth provided by Ryanair, (already pioneered by other Italian regions such as Puglia and Sardinia), with competitive fares and greater connectivity for those wanting to visit friends and relatives abroad. abroad or have to travel for work or health reasons. While forward-thinking Italian regions and airports like Calabria continue to take laudable measures to grow tourism and connectivity, the Italian government must support all Italian regions and airports to grow tourism and connectivity by lowering access costs and canceling the regressive municipal surcharge/tourism tax to stimulate further capacity growth and reduce passenger fares.
If the Italian government were to abolish the municipal surcharge, Ryanair will respond with a $4 billion investment in Italy, adding 40 new aircraft, an additional 20 million passengers per year and over 250 new routes. Ryanair Calabrian citizens/visitors can now book their low fare S24 flights on 30 routes from just €24.99 on ryanair.com today. We look forward to welcoming millions more Italian and foreign citizens/visitors on board Ryanair flights to/from Calabria next summer.”
