6th Jun 2008 17:36
AER LINGUS PASSENGERS REFUSING TO PAY FUEL SURCHARGES
ONLY RYANAIR GUARANTEES NO FUEL SURCHARGES EVER
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline, today (Friday, 6th June 2008) renewed its guarantee of no fuel surcharges ever as Aer Lingus confirmed at its Annual General Meeting today that it is reducing capacity for the winter season on the routes on which it imposes fuel surcharges. Aer Lingus' long haul load factors have been steadily falling, (8% in May and by 18% in April), as it struggles to find passengers willing to pay fuel surcharges of up to €100.
Ryanair's 2006 offer for Aer Lingus guaranteed passengers lower fares and the removal of fuel surcharges, yet both fares and fuel surcharges at Aer Lingus have steadily increased since the offer lapsed. Aer Lingus this week announced its fifth fuel surcharge increase since Ryanair's bid in October 2006, while Aer Lingus' average fare rose 3% last year to €94.
Speaking today, Ryanair's Lorna Farren said:
"Aer Lingus' decision to cut capacity on its long haul routes confirms that it is struggling to find passengers willing to pay its rapacious fuel surcharges on US flights. Ryanair's 2006 bid for Aer Lingus guaranteed the removal of fuel surcharges and lower fares for passengers, yet since the offer lapsed Aer Lingus' management has done the opposite and continues to increase both its high fares and fuel surcharges.
"By way of an apology to passengers for Aer Lingus' failure to reduce either its high fares or fuel surcharges, Ryanair is today giving away 2 million FREE seats, no taxes, no fees and no fuel surcharges on selected routes across Europe. We advise passengers to book immediately on www.ryanair.com, the only place to find low fare flights from Ireland."
Ends. Friday, 6th June 2008
For further information:
Lorna Farren - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants
Tel: 00 353 1 812 1271 Tel: 00 353 1 4980 300
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