Low Fare Routes Direct from Shannon

Ryanair Holdings PLC
4 April 2000




Only £79 return to Germany as RYANAIR opens 
LOW FARE ROUTES direct from SHANNON

Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Tuesday, 04 April 2000)
announced two low fare routes direct from Shannon Airport to the UK and
GERMANY. These routes from the mid-west to LONDON (Stansted) and FRANKFURT
(Hahn) will offer savings of up to 95% on those fares being charged by Aer
Lingus.  The routes will begin to operate on April 13th (Shannon-London) and
May 18th (Shannon-Frankfurt) respectively and will finally give passengers
living in the mid-west an option to flying via Dublin Airport.

These two new routes are Shannon's gain and Dublin's loss as the 10 new low
fare routes proposed for Dublin were rubbished by the Aer Rianta monopoly. 
They will find it increasingly difficult to explain how those living in the
mid-west can fly direct to Germany for only £79 return with Ryanair, while
those flying via Dublin Airport, with Ireland's second largest airline - Aer
Lingus will have to pay an outrageous £609 return - a discount of 87% for
Ryanair passengers. 


COMPARE THE FARES
AIRLINE                     ROUTE                                   Return
fare              
Aer Lingus                     Dublin to Frankfurt             £609 plus tax
Ryanair                     Shannon to Frankfurt (Hahn)        £  79 plus tax

SAVINGS WITH RYANAIR  = 87%



Announcing these new routes at a press conference in Shannon this morning,
Ryanair's Commercial Director, Michael Cawley said:

'Low fare access direct to the regions of Ireland is of huge importance for
both business and leisure passengers and gives passengers a real option to
flying via the current congestion that is Dublin Airport.

The Irish Hotels Federation has confirmed that tourist numbers into Ireland
are now stagnant and it is about time that the Aer Rianta Monopoly faced the
reality of its failed high-cost strategy.  Ryanair will expand and provide the
necessary growth if it secures a long-term, low cost base at Dublin Airport.





These 2 new low fare routes will deliver 250,000 extra passengers per annum
through Shannon Airport which will be welcome news for those operating tourist
businesses which are currently stagnant due to Aer Rianta's failure at
Dublin'.

 

For booking information:              www.RYANAIR.COM - The low fares website

For media information:       Michael Cawley                     Pauline
McAlester
                            Ryanair                            Murray
Consultants
                            Tel. [phone]          Tel. [phone]