Occhiuto: ‘I’m finally alive’. Wilson: ‘immediately second plane’
Ryanair, the number 1 airline in Europe and Italy, inaugurated today (7 May) the opening of its new base with an aircraft based (investment of over 100 million dollars) in Reggio Calabria.
Ryanair’s first ever operation to/from Reggio for summer ’24 will offer unbeatable fares on 8 new routes (5 international and 3 domestic), marking a significant milestone in our commitment to offering greater connectivity, inbound tourism all per year and job opportunities in Calabria. Ryanair’s presence in Reggio Calabria will create up to 200 jobs (including well-paid jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers)
Ryanair’s operations to Reggio Calabria for Summer ’24 will include:
- 8 new routes – Barcelona, Berlin, Bologna, Manchester, Marseille, Tirana, Turin and Venice
- 1 new aircraft based ($100 million investment)
- Supporting over 200 jobs
- Record connectivity and low rates for Reggio Calabria
President Occhiuto’s visionary leadership combined with Ryanair’s strategic approach has paved the way for this important expansion, positioning Reggio Calabria as a hub for inbound tourism and connectivity, attracting investment and promoting its economic development.
To celebrate its new Reggio base and 8 new routes for the summer ’24 season, Ryanair has launched a promotion valid for 3 days with fares starting from €21.99 on sale only on ryanair.com.
In Reggio Calabria, the Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said:
“As the number 1 airline in Europe and Italy, Ryanair is delighted to inaugurate the opening of our new base (a $100 million investment) in Reggio Calabria and the exciting summer operation boasting 8 brand new routes: Barcelona, Berlin, Bologna, Manchester, Marseille, Tirana, Turin and Venice. This significant expansion marks the start of a long-term strategy with the Region to position Calabria as a leading destination in Europe, increasing inbound tourism, connectivity and employment, whilst offering the lowest fares in Europe .
With a commitment to providing competitive fares and greater connectivity, Ryanair is poised to transform travel for residents and visitors, unlocking the full potential of the Calabria region, attracting a diverse range of tourists and stimulating economic development.
While recognizing the commendable efforts of Italian regions and progressive airports such as Reggio in promoting tourism and connectivity, Ryanair urges the Italian Government to build on this progress by immediately reducing access costs and abolishing the regressive municipal surcharge/tourism tax to stimulate further capacity growth and reduce passenger fares. Should the Italian Government abolish the additional municipal/tourism tax, Ryanair will respond with a $4 billion investment in Italy, adding 40 new planes, an additional 20 million additional passengers per year and over 250 new routes, in next 4 years. Reggio Calabria could benefit from the abolition of the municipal surcharge/tourism tax with further Ryanair investments in routes, connectivity and jobs.
Citizens/visitors to Calabria can now book their low-cost flights for summer ’24 on 8 routes from just €21.99 on ryanair.com. We look forward to welcoming millions of Italian and foreign citizens/visitors on board Ryanair flights to/from Reggio Calabria for summer ’24”.
Roberto Occhiuto, President of the Calabria Region declared: “When I took office I inherited an immobile airport system, almost collapsing.
In a few months we placed Sacal under the control of the Region and finally made it operational. At the same time we have built a modernization plan for all Calabrian airports.
Two years ago the Reggio Calabria airport was in a coma, without any prospect of development and with flights to Rome and Milan at risk of being cancelled.
We saved those connections, we doubled them, and a few months ago we officially presented Ryanair’s landing on the shores of the Strait with Eddie Wilson, whom I thank for his new visit to our Region.
Today Reggio Calabria is a hub for the Irish airline, it has 8 new routes and in these first weeks record numbers of arrivals and departures have been recorded.
I am very happy with the collaboration with Ryanair which in this summer season has also strengthened the routes from the airports of Lamezia Terme and Crotone: the first airline in Europe is now present in Calabria with 30 connections.
Our goal is to grow the entire regional airport system, to bring more and more tourists to Calabria and also to give new opportunities to our fellow citizens.
With Ryanair we have started a journey that will bring great and positive news for our Region in the coming months and years.”
Marco Franchini, Sole Director of SACAL declared: Ryanair confirms itself as an intrepid and reliable travel companion, capable of making even minor airports take off towards increasingly ambitious destinations, an engine of growth and a model of tourism development and beyond. From today the entire regional territory will be able to benefit not only from travel at advantageous fares but from the great opportunity of being connected to the most beautiful European capitals.
