12th Oct 2007 11:31
Ryanair Holdings PLC12 October 2007 RYANAIR TO APPEAL COURT'S DECISION ON SLOTS AT CIAMPINO AIRPORT Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Friday, 12th October 2007)condemned the failure of the regional court (TAR) in Rome to grant an injunctionto stop the Italian Government from unlawfully restricting the availability oflow fares in the Rome market, a move that provides further illegal protection ofAlitalia and restricts consumer choice. Ryanair will immediately appeal thecourt's decision. Since at least 2005, the Italian Government has been trying to reduce theavailability of low fares at Rome Ciampino. False claims were made by ENAC, theItalian Aviation Authority about a night time noise issue at the airport despitethe fact that Ryanair operates the youngest and quietest aircraft at the airportand does not operate any night time flights. When it became clear that this bogus excuse for restricting growth at Ciampinowould not stand up, the Italian Government fabricated a different claim,ordering that the airport would have to be closed for at least 5 months for'essential runway works', that capacity would be reduced by 30% in the interimand that upon completion the airport would be closed to commercial traffic! These claims are utter fabrication and Ryanair calls on the European Commissionto accelerate its investigation into this blatantly unlawful action by theItalian Government. Speaking today, Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "The TAR's failure to protect Italian consumers from this abuse of European and Italian law is very disappointing. The imposition of these bogus restrictions by the Italian Government will force Roman consumers to pay the higher fares charged by Alitalia, while causing significant damage to tourism in Rome. Ryanair will appeal this decision of the TAR Lazio but is calling on the European Commission to immediately put an end to the Italian Government's incessant protection of Alitalia.". ENDS. Friday, 12th October 2007 For further information please contact: Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Robert Marshall - Murray ConsultantsTel: 00 353 1 812 1228 Tel: 00 353 1 4980 300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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