30th Mar 2007 09:39
Ryanair Holdings PLC30 March 2007 RYANAIR WELCOMES OFT DECISION TO REFER BAA MONOPOLY TO COMPETITION COMMISSION Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Friday, 30th March 2007)welcomed the UK Office of Fair Trading's decision to refer the BAA monopoly tothe Competition Commission. The BAA monopoly should now be broken up to allow competition, improvedservices, lower airport costs and the development of sensible cost efficientfacilities where the current BAA monopoly and ineffective regulator (the CAA)have clearly failed. Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, Ryanair's Head of Communications said: "This referral is good news for consumers. Ryanair has long called on the CAA to take action to end monopoly abuse by the BAA, which has resulted in inadequate facilities and excessive passenger charges at the London airports in particular. Let's face it, Heathrow is a mess, passengers continue to be stuck in long security queues at Stansted and Gatwick's development is being held back by this over charging monopoly. "At a time when users in Stansted unanimously oppose the wasting of £4bn on a second terminal and runway which could be built for less than £1bn, the BAA monopoly intends to ignore its users' requirements and push through this gold plated Taj Mahal anyway, which would double passenger charges at Stansted. "Ryanair calls on the Competition Commission to break up the BAA airport monopoly which has failed over 20 years to meet the needs of passengers. By spinning out Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted into separately owned companies, which are then forced to compete against each other, improved terminal facilities and lower cost terminal and car parking charges will evolve in much the same way that competition between the airlines - led by Ryanair - has lowered air fares and delivered enormous growth at the UK airports. "Regulation by the CAA has clearly failed, it's time to allow competition between the London airports to deliver better facilities and lower costs for British passengers and British business". Ends. Friday, 30th March 2007 For reference: Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Tel: +353-1-8121228 Murray Consultants Tel: +353-1-4980300 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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