DUBLIN, IRELAND: Ryanair is reducing its winter flight schedule at Dublin Airport, cutting 17 routes, reducing frequency on others, and moving 19 environmentally friendly aircraft in a dispute with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) over charges.

Ryanair claims the DAA plans to increase passenger charges by 45 percent, along with "continual capital expenditure mismanagement." The airline also stated that the DAA has failed to deliver a meaningful environmental incentive scheme that rewards lower-emission aircraft.

DAA has rejected these claims.

"DAA should urgently prioritize investment in low-cost useful infrastructure and introduce incentive programs to lower charges that will facilitate passenger growth, reward lower-emission aircraft and lower charges to stimulate connectivity, underpinning tourism, and job growth, which is what Ireland's growing economy needs," said Ryanair DAC chief executive Eddie Wilson at a press conference in Dublin this week.

The canceled routes include destinations in France, Germany, Denmark, the UK, Spain, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, and Poland.

Sales for the affected routes will cease on November 1, resulting in a 10 percent decrease in Ryanair's passenger numbers through Dublin Airport compared to the previous winter.

DAA has strongly denied Ryanair's claim that Dublin Airport charges will increase by 45 percent next year. They assert that charges set by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) will increase by only six percent in 2024.

Ryanair also criticized DAA's plan to build a €250 million cargo tunnel under the airport's crosswind runway as "superfluous" and suggested expanding the terminals to boost passenger numbers and connectivity.

Furthermore, Ryanair claimed there are no incentives at Dublin Airport to grow traffic or reward investments in aircraft with lower CO2 and noise emissions. As a result, Ryanair is relocating a fleet of 19 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft from Dublin Airport to other European airports.

DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs denied these claims, emphasizing the safety of the underpass and stating that formal consultation details for sustainability incentives are due to be circulated to airline customers soon.