18th Oct 2006 11:00
Ryanair Holdings PLC18 October 2006 RYANAIR OPENS 2 NEW ROUTES TO WARSAW AND STOCKHOLM & EXTENDS PRIORITY BOARDING OPTION TO ALL PASSENGERS Ryanair, Ireland's favourite airline, today (Wednesday, 18th October 2006)announced 2 new routes from Dublin to Warsaw and Stockholm. This brings to 20the number of new European routes that Ryanair will launch from Dublin in 2007and takes to 71 the number of low fare destinations that Ryanair offers toDublin passengers. These 20 new routes from Dublin in 2007 prove a number ofpoints: 1) There is ample room at Dublin airport to grow 2) There will be increased competition between RY and AL regardless of whether the current bid succeeds or not. This increased competition between RY and AL disproves the claims of those who suggest that the Ryanair offer will lead to less competition and higher fares. 3) AL's high fares will be forced down through competition - better deal forconsumers. DESTINATION STARTS RYANAIR FARE AER LINGUS FARE F'ventura Dec €22 €79 F'hshafen Dec €22 €55 (Munich) Grenoble Dec €22 €55 Madrid Dec €22 €55 Tenerife Dec €22 €79 Turin Dec €22 €55 Almeria Jan €22 €65 Seville Jan €22 €65 Vitoria Jan €22 €55 Bologna Feb €22 €55 Pula (Croatia) Feb €22 €65 (Dubrovnik) Warsaw Feb €24 €65 Oslo Dec €22 NO SERVICE Tampere Dec €22 NO SERVICE Billund Jan €22 NO SERVICE Rzeszow Jan €22 NO SERVICE Alghero (Sardinia) Feb €22 NO SERVICE Malta Feb €22 NO SERVICE Stockholm Feb €24 NO SERVICE Trapani (Sicily) Feb €22 NO SERVICE Current lowest offers - one way tax and charges included Ryanair also announced today a new online check-in and priority boarding serviceenhancement that will allow all passengers to enjoy online check-in / priorityboarding for just £2/€3 per flight from 1st November 2006. This serviceimprovement will extend the option of priority boarding to all passengers andnot just those travelling without checked in bags as was previously the case. Passengers travelling with checked in luggage will (from 1st November) be ableto enjoy priority boarding at departure gates for £2/€3 per flight. Thesepassengers will then be entitled to board the aircraft first and choose theirseats. This will be particularly advantageous for families and groups who wishto travel together. Those travelling with hand luggage only will also have the option to enjoy thedouble benefit of bypassing airport check-in queues and avail of priorityboarding at the departure gate by checking in on line for just £2/€3 per flight. From 1st November, families with children will no longer be pre-boarded howeverthey will have the option of online check-in and priority boarding if travellingwithout checked in luggage or priority boarding purchased at the airport iftravelling with checked in bags. Announcing these new routes and additional service enhancements, Mr. MichaelCawley Ryanair's Deputy CEO said: "Ryanair's continued expansion is great news for passengers who will enjoy our lowest fares to even more destinations. The arrival of Ryanair means just one thing for all passengers, whether in Dublin, Warsaw or Stockholm - lower fares, better service, more flights and a welcome saving from the high fares of Aer Lingus, LOT and SAS. "The launch of 20 low fare Ryanair routes from Dublin, starting December will enable passengers to travel to 71 destinations throughout Europe for less than half the price of Aer Lingus. There is plenty of room for all European airlines to grow from Dublin and Ryanair is growing fastest because passengers are voting with their feet in favour of the lowest fares. Regardless of whether Ryanair offer for Aer Lingus succeeds, these new routes mean that the two airlines will continue to compete vigorously with each other as well as with the 50 other high fare airlines currently serving Dublin to deliver lower fares and a better deal for consumers. "We are also pleased to extend the option of priority boarding to all passengers, including those travelling with checked in bags. This will make the airport experience much more pleasurable for all of our passengers, allowing them to go to the front of queues at departure gates and choose their preferred seats on board. From 1st November for just £2/€3 per person per flight, families, groups and friends will be able to guarantee their seats together on board. "From the same date and for the same price, passengers travelling with hand luggage only will enjoy the double benefit of bypassing check-in queues and priority boarding when they check in on-line. "Ryanair's No. 1 customer service already delivers the lowest fares, the best punctuality and the youngest aircraft. Now, Ryanair's passengers will also be able to enjoy a hassle free airport experience by avoiding queues at airport check-in and departure gates with our new online check-in and priority boarding service". Ends. Wednesday, 18th October 2006 For further information: Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants Tel: 00 353 1 8121228 Tel: 00 353 1 4980300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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