Ryanair has announced it is to reduce capacity this winter at Stansted Airport.

The airline, which cites Stansted Airport’s charges and the UK Government’s insistence on taxing tourists with its £10 APD, will base just 24 aircraft at Stansted this winter – down from the current 40 – reducing the number of Stansted flights by 30%.

Last year Ryanair cut capacity at Stansted airport, reducing the number of planes to 28 for the winter season – down from 38 in the summer of 2008.