Latest news with #Brive
Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Times
Ryanair drops three French airports in row over tax
Ryanair is scaling down operations in France because of tax increases, according to its chief executive, who accused the country's government of 'shooting itself in both feet'. In a characteristically combative interview with Le Parisien newspaper, Michael O'Leary said France preferred tax rises to economic growth. His comments prompted an angry response from Philippe Tabarot, the French transport minister. O'Leary said that Ryanair, Europe's largest airline with 200 million passengers last year, would cease services to three airports in France this winter and would reduce French flights by 13 per cent. • The best airlines in the world — according to you Ryanair is to stop flights to and from Bergerac and Brive airports, which serve the Dordogne, a popular holiday destination and home to many British expatriates. Flights to Strasbourg, in eastern France, will also cease. He said France's decision to increase its 'solidarity tax' on air fares, from €2.63 per ticket to €7.40, would make services to these airports unprofitable. 'This is a rise of 180 per cent and it's completely unjustified,' O'Leary said. 'You know what the French government has succeeded in doing in recent years? Shooting itself in both feet with these ridiculous and idiotic taxes on air travel. 'It isn't surprising that France is one of the countries that has recovered least well from Covid. France prefers taxes to growth.' O'Leary said Ryanair had proposed a five-year plan to the government to double the number of its passengers from 15 million to 30 million on French routes, on condition that France scrapped aviation taxes. 'We have less costly alternatives elsewhere, in other countries that realise the stupidity of French taxes.' He said six regions in Italy had cut or scrapped air travel taxes, which previously amounted to €6.50 on each ticket. 'We will simply move our planes to countries with lower costs. And if France responds to that by increasing taxes still further, we will reduce our services even more.' He also attacked French air traffic controllers over what he described as 'recreational' strikes, after Ryanair said it cancelled 170 flights. Tabarot rejected Ryanair's arguments as an 'excuse' and 'a strategy to exonerate it from its social and fiscal obligations'. • Alistair Osborne: EU tolerance of French air traffic control strikes is unacceptable He accused Ryanair of excessive cost-cutting but added: 'I haven't got a problem with an airline making a profit, which is the case for Ryanair, which has doubled its profits in a year.' Other airlines have also criticised France's taxes on air travel. Benjamin Smith, the chief executive of Air France-KLM, has described them as 'irresponsible'.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Another European airport is losing all of its Ryanair flights this year
THREE destinations in France are being ditched by Ryanair this winter. Ryanair announced it would be axing flights from three airports in France later this year due to the "astronomical" rise in air tax by the French government. 4 4 Ryanair said in a statement that the decision to stop routes to cities such as Brive, is because of the French government's decision to increase air tax by 180 per cent which they called "astronomical". The airline added: "In response to this government tax, Ryanair will cease operations to Bergerac, Brive, and Strasbourg, and reduce capacity at several other French airports." Ryanair currently operates two flights per week between London and Brive which is the biggest commune in Corrèze, and it's capital is Tulle. Direct flights from London Stansted to Brive will stop after October 24, 2025. But if you manage to visit before then, you can explore local distilleries and even Lamy Chocolate Factory which create sweet treats. Brive has a large food market held three times a week in Georges Brassens Hall with more than 200 sellers where you can pick up lots of tasty local produce. In the winter months, Brive is known for holding traditional winter fairs called Foires Grasses. It also holds Foires Franches, a summer fair which has children's fairground rides, markets, games throughout the town and firework displays. Other destinations that have been axed are Strasbourg, aka the Capital of Christmas. The third destination that Ryanair will no longer fly to is Bergerac. 4 Bosses at this French airport even fear that the terminal could close as a result. Last week, Christophe Fauvel, president of the Dordogne Chamber of Commerce (CCI) explained that Ryanair stopping flights could lead to the closure of Bergerac Airport. Talking to French media, Christophe said: "It is what happens next that worries us. "If Ryanair decides to follow through on its threat and leaves Bergerac for good the airport may face closure". Bergerac Airport estimates that it will lose 18,000 passengers and a seven per cent loss of its annual passenger numbers. Last year, Ryanair pulled its service to Bordeaux Airport – a decision that was finalised in October 2024. In early 2025, the airline also cut its route to Vatry. For anyone going away for the summer, check out this full list of UK airline hand luggage rules for peace of mind. And take a look at this underrated French city that has a 'bit of everything' with picturesque beaches and new cheap hotels.
Irish Daily Mirror
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Lions star left gobsmacked by coach's comment - 'We're going to send you home!'
Courtney Lawes was crushed to learn that he was being sent home from the British and Irish Lions' tour of South Africa in 2021, in a merciless prank from Warren Gatland. The England and Brive flanker, now 36, confronted the then-Lions head coach during breakfast, seeking answers about his declining playing time. Lawes had featured for nearly every minute in the team's warm-up against Japan, played the full match against Sigma Lions, and then another 70 minutes facing the Cell C Sharks. But after being benched for the subsequent fixture against South Africa 'A', and learning he would miss the final warm-up against the Stormers, he was anxious to discover if he had made an error. Determined to resolve the situation, he approached Gatland to question why he wasn't getting selected. Speaking in a column for The Telegraph, Lawes said: "I was beginning to worry that I had done something wrong. I caught up with him at breakfast. 'Sorry Courtney, we're going to send you home,' he said, straight-faced. Before bursting into laughter. Thankfully he was winding me up. Phew. "I just needed some clarity to give me something to get my head around everything. Thankfully, Gats just said that he was happy with my form so far and that I was getting looked after because of a neck niggle that I have been managing." Gatland also offered insights to the press about Lawes' absence from some games at the time, explaining: "He's had a lot of time earlier in the tour where he was involved in a lot of games. Agai,n another one we want to freshen up. "We're really happy with the way he has been contributing and playing. He's had a bit of a stiff neck that has kept him out a bit of the contact stuff so we're just making sure we manage him. There's nothing wrong with him. Courtney Lawes was a part of the 2021 Lions squad (Image: PA) "It's from his early involvements and the amount of minutes he has had in those early games. Again it is giving him more time so he's fresh and ready to go for training and available for selection next week." Lawes also shared a light-hearted moment from the South Africa tour, mentioning how Alun Wyn Jones was the butt of jokes for arriving late. He added: "I told him it was nice of him to finally join us having missed all the hard bit and turn up for the Tests. He does not like being wound up but he took it OK. "There has to be at least a significant fine for turning up late on tour. I will make that suggestion to Mako, our fine-master. I am sure there will be a fine for each week he has missed." The Lions are currently on a tour of Australia (Image: Getty Images) The Lions are preparing to conclude their Australian tour on Saturday without Lawes, who hung up his international boots in October 2023. The Lions have had a phenomenal summer so far, securing victories in eight out of their nine matches; their sole defeat was a 24-28 loss to Argentina in a warm-up game. Their latest match on Saturday ended with a thrilling 29-26 win over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a game that will be remembered as an instant classic. The Lions were down 23-5 in the first half as Australia made an impressive comeback, only for the visitors to mount an extraordinary comeback with tries from Dan Sheehan, Tom Curry, Huw Jones, Tadhg Beirne and conversions from Finn Russell, culminating in Hugo Keenan's last-minute winner.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Ospreys sign Wales back row Moriarty from Brive
Ospreys have completed the signing of Wales back row Ross Moriarty from French side British and Irish Lion returns to the Swansea-based region, where he was brought up, and is looking forward to playing at Ospreys' new St Helen's home next season."I grew up watching rugby at St Helen's as a child and it's a massive honour for me to play on the same ground as my dad and my uncle did," said Moriarty."It's a big deal for me and I look forward to giving my family the chance to watch me play more regularly."Moriarty's presence will help fill the back-row void left by the retiring Justin Tipuric, who will become the region's defence coach next season in the backroom staff of head coach Mark Jones. Bringing the physicality Moriarty has specialised at blind-side flanker and number eight and will join a squad that includes back-row options like James Ratti, Morgan Morris, Morgan Morse, Harri Deaves and captain Jac Morgan."I want to bring some real physicality to the game," said Moriarty."It's been great to watch what Mark Jones is building at the Ospreys and I can't wait to be a part of it and bring my own flair to the team."Moriarty, 31, remains eligible for Wales, although he was left out of campaigns by former head coaches Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland before making himself unavailable for the 2023 World left Dragons for France in 2023 having had a previous six-year spell with Gloucester."Ross is a proven international player who brings an edge to everything he does," said Jones."His experience and competitiveness will be a huge asset to us, both on and off the pitch."We're pleased to bring in someone of his calibre as we continue to strengthen our squad and push the standards of this group."
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh region announce signing of Wales and Lions international
Welsh region announce signing of Wales and Lions international The 31-year-old will join the Ospreys after spending two years in France The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Wales international Ross Moriarty (Image: Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency ) The Ospreys have confirmed the signing of Wales and British and Irish Lions back-row Ross Moriarty ahead of next season. The 54-cap international joins from French outfit Brive, having spent two full seasons in France's second tier, Pro D2, with Les Gaillards. After previously playing for the Dragons and Gloucester, Moriarty, who toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2017, returns to where he was brought up - with both his father Paul and uncle Richard having been heavily involved with Swansea RFC over the years. That only serves to make the move to the Ospreys all the more symbolic, given their move to St Helen's next season - giving the cult-hero status of his family in Swansea. The Ospreys had been in need of back-row reinforcements, with the talismanic Justin Tipuric hanging up his boots and blue scrum cap to join Mark Jones' coaching staff ahead of next season. Flanker Tristan Davies was also confirmed to be joining local rivals Scarlets this week. The 31-year-old, who still remains eligible for Test selection, last played for Wales in March 2022, before being left out of squads under Wayne Pivac and Warren Gatland. Having fallen out of favour under Gatland, he made himself unavailable for the 2023 World Cup following his move to France. Article continues below Prior to joining Brive, the physical back-row had previously spent five years with the Dragons after joining the Men of Gwent in 2018 following six seasons with Gloucester. 'I'm really looking forward to joining the Ospreys and playing in my hometown," said Moriarty. "I grew up watching rugby at St Helen's as a child and it's a massive honour for me to play on the same ground as my dad and my uncle did. "It's a big deal for me, and I look forward to giving my family the chance to watch me play more regularly. 'I want to bring some real physicality to the game. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. "It's been great to watch what Mark Jones is building at the Ospreys, and I can't wait to be a part of it and bring my own flair to the team.' The back-row had joined Brive early, having left Rodney Parade before the end of the 2022/23 season in a bid to keep the French outfit in the Top 14. Unfortunately, Brive missed out on promotion back to the top flight in each of Moriarty's full seasons in France - with the back-row calling time on an "unforgettable experience" after their play-off semi-final defeat to Montauban. 'Ross is a proven international player who brings an edge to everything he does," added Ospreys head coach Jones. Article continues below "His experience and competitiveness will be a huge asset to us, both on and off the pitch. We're really pleased to bring in someone of his calibre as we continue to strengthen our squad and push the standards of this group.'
