12th Dec 2006 09:40
Ryanair Holdings PLC12 December 2006 RYANAIR WELCOMES OFT DECISION TO REFER BAA AIRPORT MONOPOLY TO THE COMPETITION COMMISSION AND CALLS FOR BREAK-UP OF THE BAA MONOPOLY Ryanair Europe's largest low fares airline this morning (Tuesday, 12th December2006) welcomed the pro-consumer decision by the OFT to refer the BAA airportmonopoly to the Competition Commission, and called on the Competition Commissionto recommend the break-up of the BAA monopoly, which has led to high prices andabject services at London's three main airports, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Welcoming this morning's decision, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary,said: "Ryanair has long called for a break-up of the BAA monopoly. Heathrow is a shambles, which most passengers if they could, would avoid at all costs. Equally, Stansted where we operate is an over-specified, gold plated Taj Mahal. The present ineffective regulatory regime operated by the CAA encourages the BAA monopoly to waste £4bn. building a second runway and terminal at Stansted, when these facilities could easily be built for less than one quarter of this figure. "The competition between Liverpool and Manchester airports has led to reduced charges and improved services for passengers. Equally, in Scotland, the competition between Glasgow Prestwick and Glasgow Paisley has led to lower charges and choice for consumers. "Competition works. It leads to more choice and better services for consumers. We again call for the break up of the BAA monopoly. Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted should be spun out into separately owned, independent, competing airports, where the market and airport users will have more influence over the type of low cost, efficient facilities that are provided, and so we finally do away with the era of gold plated Taj Mahal palaces and high prices favoured by the BAA monopoly". Ends. Tuesday, 12th December 2006 For further informationplease contact: Pauline McAlester Peter Sherrard Murray Consultants Ryanair Tel. +353-1-4980300 Tel. +353-1-8121212 www.ryanair.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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