Airline Departure Poses Threat to Denmark's Billund Airport Stability
Hot Off the Press: Billund Airport Struggling Amidst Ryanair Exit
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Rushing to make up for lost time, Billund Airport is pulling out all the stops to compensate for the absence of Ryanair's 1.1 million passengers who were set to fly from the location this year.
Oh, And Check This Out!
The closure of Ryanair's base and 24 services at Billund has left a hefty void, one that airport staff are eager to fill. Head of programmes, marketing, and communication at Billund Airport, Jesper Klausholm, shares their plans. "We're busting our humps to close the gap left by Ryanair as much as possible," Klausholm tells Ritzau.
That's a Hefty Gap
"We reckoned Ryanair would provide us with 1.1 million passengers this year. That's obviously not happening now," Klausholm admits. But fear not! Additionally, a deal with the Scandinavian airline, Norwegian, has introduced a new flight to London Gatwick, while several Spanish destinations are now on the itinerary.
Heavy Lifting Ahead
"It'll take a long time to close the gap completely. But it also presents an opportunity for other low-cost airlines," says Klausholm. The airport is currently in talks with a few "exciting" players that will "make a dent" in the near future. In the meantime, nine new routes have already been unveiled since Ryanair confirmed its withdrawal.
A Little Birdie Told Me
It's no secret that Ryanair, Europe's largest airline in terms of passenger numbers, will be a tough act to follow. But as nerve-racking as things may appear, time is of the essence. Nevertheless, Klausholm remains optimistic. "We expect to bring in 200,000 guests with our new routes, and next year is looking better already."
What's Next?
Now, the question you're probably asking yourself is: will Billund Airport manage to fill the void left by Ryanair? Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing story!
On A lighter Note
Wondering about the SAS service? Don't worry— you'll still be able to hop on a flight from Billund to Copenhagen. This development is poised to enhance overall connectivity for passengers, possibly offsetting some of the impact from lost routes.
Join the Fray
Share your thoughts on this situation. Do you think Billund Airport will recover from the loss, and what strategies would you suggest? Let us know in the comments section below!
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- The sudden closure of Ryanair's operations at Billund Airport has created a significant shortfall in the number of passengers, with approximately 1.1 million passengers previously expected this year.
- In an effort to fill the void left by Ryanair, Billund Airport is aggressively pursuing negotiations with other low-cost airlines and has already announced nine new routes.
- Despite the challenges, Jesper Klausholm, the head of programs, marketing, and communication at Billund Airport, remains optimistic about the future and is hoping to attract 200,000 passengers with the new routes.
- As part of their efforts to attract more passengers, Billund Airport has struck a deal with Norwegian Air to offer a flight to London Gatwick, and has also added several Spanish destinations to its itinerary.
- With Ryanair's exit, travelers may find it more convenient to use SAS for their flights from Billund to Copenhagen, as there will be an increased number of connections available.
