| Ryanair plans world domination
 RYANAIR
chief Michael O’Leary is planning a low-fares blitz on transatlantic
and cross-channel routes.
He intends buying 50 planes to offer flights between Ireland, Britain
and other European countries and the US for as little as ?10.
But he claimed that it could be four or five years before the new routes
are launched.
Although other airlines have attempted to start a low fares transatlantic
operation without success, Mr O’Leary said the new Open Skies deal
between Europe and the US means such a service would now make sense.
The Open Skies deal allows European airlines to fly to any destination
in the US and vice versa.
Only signed last month, it was expected to lead to much greater competition.
But even seasoned industry observers will be surprised at how quickly
Mr O’Leary has embraced the chance to fly transatlantic routes.
The company is not planning to replicate its European services on long-haul
routes. Instead, it plans to offer a business class as well as a normal
economy class.
Ryanair will set up a new company to operate the services.
It will be a subsidiary of Ryanair and will likely have a different name
with an individual brand.
The company is planning on buying up to 50 new planes to operate the transatlantic
services. It will buy either Airbus A350s or Boeing 787s. Plane prices
are currently at record levels with many airlines chasing a limited number
of new models.
But Mr O’Leary expects prices will fall before the new services
are offered. |
