Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen Retaliates Over Ryanair Baggage Fees Controversy

Flying Out: Ryanair's U-Turn and Denmark's Tax Struggle

The Looped-In Denmark Goes Viral

In this week's edition of The Looped-In Denmark, we delve into Denmark's latest aviation saga and the political battle over Greenland.

The Ryanair Ruckus

The Danish language has a saying, bagslag, which means "backwards hit," used when an action or decision backfires. This term come to mind when we learned about Ryanair's pullout from Billund Airport. Starting from the end of March, two aircraft will cease operations and all flights from Aalborg will terminate.

The closures could lead to job losses, although Ryanair will offer employees relocation opportunities. However, fewer choices for travellers in the Jutland region are undeniable. Ryanair accused the Danish government of making regional airports uncompetitive through a new air travel tax. This isn't the first time Ryanair has butted heads over airport fees and taxes. Recently, the airline threatened to cut flights in Rome over fees and has already ended operations at Bordeaux airport for the same reason.

A Taxing Tale

From the Danish government's perspective, calling the situation a bagslag is quite apt. The air tax, implemented on January 1, 2025, was initially intended to reduce Denmark's emissions and environmental impact while generating revenue for local airport infrastructure, green domestic flights, and welfare [5]. So, although Ryanair's withdrawal likely means lower emissions, the loss of regional airports, jobs, and connectivity is a significant drawback.

Greenland Gripes

Denmark's responses to Trump's Greenland pursuits have been measured but firm. Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Foreign Minister, declared that "Trump will not have Greenland," and emphasized that Greenland is not for sale, echoing Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's stance. Rasmussen's comments followed Marco Rubio's warning that Trump's discussion of purchasing Greenland wasn't a joke.

Rasmussen reminisced about Denmark's past sale of the Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) without the locals' consent and emphasized that such practices are obsolete in these modern times. A recent poll found that 85% of Greenlanders opposes American ownership.

Rasmussen is a veteran Danish politician, having served as Prime Minister from 2009-2011 and 2015-2019. While some argue that he may be assuming an "attack dog role" in Greenland diplomacy, the government's approach remains unclear, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Extra Insights

Current Status of Air Travel Tax in Denmark: The Danish air travel tax was implemented on January 1, 2025, after its proposal in 2023 and enactment in 2024. The average passenger tax is currently set at 70 DKK per ticket for 2025, expected to increase to 100 DKK by 2030.
Impact on Ryanair's Operations: Ryanair withdrew its two-aircraft base and 24 services from Billund Airport due to Denmark's new aviation tax, representing a significant loss of investment estimated at approximately $200 million (£158 million). The airline also ceased routes to and from Aalborg Airport.

News regarding Ryanair's pullout from Billund Airport in Denmark has gone viral on social media, sparking debate about the impact on regional travel.
In recent times, Ryanair has been in disagreements with various governments, including Denmark, over airport fees and taxes, resulting in flight cancellations or reductions.
The air travel tax implemented by the Danish government, intended to reduce emissions and fund infrastructure, has led to airline closures with potential job losses and decreased travel options.
Denmark's stance on Greenland's potential sale to the United States, following Trump's comments, has been firm, with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasizing Greenland's non-negotiability.
The political developments in Greenland have become a topic of entertainment in the general news, with discussions and analysis on television and online platforms.
Food-and-drink industries within the affected Jutland region may witness a decline in demand due to fewer travelers, impacting the local lifestyle and economy.
The controversy surrounding Ryanair's exit from Denmark has brought attention to the meaning of the Danish phrase "bagslag," which is now trending on entertainment and lifestyle-focused social media accounts.
The consequences of Danish politics, such as the air travel tax and reactions to foreign governments' interests in territories like Greenland, have far-reaching effects on various aspects of life, including crime and justice, making it essential to follow general news for a comprehensive understanding of events.