Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has warned of price hikes for flights over the next few years.
O'Leary said flying has become "too cheap" as the aviation industry costs have jumped and a number of airlines are facing staff shortages. He said: "I find it absurd every time that I fly to Stansted, the train journey into central London is more expensive than the air fare."
O'Leary said that with a combination of high oil prices and environmental charges, the average Ryanair ticket is expected to soar to €50 to €60 in the next five years. He also slammed the British government saying Brexit was the "height of idiocy".
Read more: Soldiers ordered on 500km round trip for security work in Dublin Airport
He told the Financial Times: "This is, without doubt, one of the inevitable consequences of the disaster that has been Brexit. Withdrawing from the single market, just so that they can say 'We got Brexit done' was the height of idiocy."
A number of airlines, including Aer Lingus, are facing major staff shortages leading to cancelled flights and delays. But Ryanair has managed to steer clear of any disruptions to schedules.
O'Leary said his pilots and crew flew frequently so they could keep their licenses and be "ready to rock and roll" once passengers returned. In other news, Soldiers are being ordered on a round trip of over 500km to work as security staff at Dublin Airport.
The Irish Mirror has learned that 40 soldiers from the 28th Infantry Battalion based at Finner Camp in Co Donegal are in the capital today for special training – before being deployed to the airport. They leave Donegal at 6am today for their two-day training course on how to act as security personnel.
And once the Government gives the nod, they will then be deployed from Donegal to spend up to a week at a time at the airport. The soldiers were sent for training after the Government announced last week that the army was being put on standby to help at the airport following the recent delays which led to thousands of passengers missing flights.
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