20th Dec 2005 10:30
Ryanair Holdings PLC20 December 2005 RYANAIR DELAYS ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT AT EAST MIDLANDS AND PISA BASES FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS DUE TO DELAY IN BOEING DELIVERIES Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline today (Tuesday, 20th December 2005)announced a number of changes to its flying programme during January, Februaryand March 2006 to accommodate the late delivery of new aircraft from Boeing, andRyanair's decision to retire the existing fleet of 737-200's on schedule at theend of December. These cancellations will reduce Ryanair's passenger traffic byapproximately 100,000 passengers per month during January, February and Marchand will reduce the overall passenger traffic in the current fiscal year to justunder 35 million passengers. As a result of a strike in Boeing during September and October, all of Ryanair'saircraft deliveries this Winter are being delivered approximately 1 month aftertheir scheduled date. Ryanair has been able to meet this 4 aircraft shortfallduring October, November and December by extending the flying programme on anumber of older 737-200 series aircraft due for retirement. It is not possibleto extend the use of these aircraft beyond the end of December 2005, as theaircraft have been sold and the pilots have been retrained on the 737-800's. Theairline has therefore decided to trim its schedule temporarily through January,February and March 2006. Planned capacity will return to normal with thedelivery of the last 4 aircraft from Boeing during the month of April 2005. These aircraft constraints will result in the following schedule changes duringthe first 3 months of 2006: •The cancellation of 200 rotations per month (approx. 1% the total flying programme) during January, February and March. •The delay of the launch of the second aircraft at the Nottingham East Midlands base from 7th March to 5th April. •The delay of the launch of the second aircraft at the Pisa base from 12th January to 4th April. All passengers currently effected by these cancelled flights or the 2 monthdelay in new flights at the East Midlands and Pisa bases will be notified atleast 3 weeks in advance of the original date of travel and will be offeredeither re-accommodation on an alternative Ryanair flight, re-accommodation onthe new routes from East Midlands and Pisa when launched, or a full refund oftheir air fares. Commenting on these cancellations during the first 3 months of next year,Ryanair's Deputy Chief Executive, Michael Cawley said; "We very much regret having to reduce our schedule to allow for the late delivery of new aircraft from Boeing and the planned retirement of our older 737-200's in December. These aircraft have already been sold. We apologise sincerely to all our passengers who may be inconvenienced by these schedule changes, and we look forward to welcoming them on board the new flights from East Midlands and Pisa when the new aircraft are delivered and based there during April 2006. "These schedule changes will not effect Ryanair's profit guidance for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006." Ends.Tuesday, 20th December 2005 For reference:Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Tel: +353-1-8121228Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants Tel: +353-1-4980300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
RYA.L