27th Jul 2006 10:28
Ryanair Holdings PLC27 July 2006 RYANAIR WELCOMES EU INVESTIGATION INTO ITALIAN RESTRICTIONS ON FLIGHTS TO SARDINIA Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Thursday, 27th July 2006)welcomed the EU Commission's announcement of an enquiry into the abuse of PSOrules to block competition from low fare airlines and protect high fare Italianairlines. On May 2nd, the Italian authorities blocked Ryanair and Easyjet from offeringlow fare flights between mainland Italy and Sardinia thereby ending competitionand choice. In the 3 months since Ryanair was forced off the routes averagefares have since increased fourfold from €40 to €160. Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, Ryanair's Head of Communications, said: "Sardinian consumers and visitors are being ripped off, denied choice and paying fares 4 times higher than Ryanair's, solely as a result of the unlawful actions of the Italian authorities to block Ryanair's flights and permit the routes to be taken over by high fare Italian airlines. "We hope the EU investigation will be completed quickly and Ryanair's low fares restored to the Sardinian routes". Ends. Thursday, 27th July 2006 For Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants reference: Tel: +353-1-8121228 Tel: +353-4980300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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