New Route Expansion for Summer 2000

Ryanair Holdings PLC 15 February 2000 RYANAIR LAUNCHES EIGHT NEW ROUTES TO FRANCE, ITALY, GERMANY, SWEDEN Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Tuesday, 15th February 2000) announced a massive programme of new route expansion for Summer 2000, on the back of record passenger numbers in 1999 for the low fares carrier. In May and June 2000, Ryanair will take delivery of a further five new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft, bringing the airlines fleet to 31 jet aircraft. These aircraft will be allocated to the launch of eight new European routes, seven from London Stansted and one from Glasgow Prestwick as follows; Start Lowest Mid-Week Economy Fare Date Ryanair B.Airways/Other London Stansted to HAMBURG 2 x Daily 01/06 89 595 MALMO 2 x Daily 01/07 99 356 NIMES 2 x Daily 01/06 89 502 PERPIGNAN 1 x Daily 01/06 89 502 BRESCIA 2 x Daily 01/07 69 492 LAMEZIA 1 x Daily 01/07 129 734 SARDINIA 1 x Daily 01/07 129 564 Glasgow Prestwick to FRANKFURT 1 x Daily 26/03 79 643 Ryanair's fares offer savings of up to 70% over the lowest midweek return economy air fares currently offered by British Airways and other high fare airlines on these routes. Ryanair is now Britain's second largest international airline after BA, and will, with these new aircraft and routes, carry in excess of 7 million passengers to and from the UK over the coming 12 month period. Launching this largest ever new route programme today in London, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary said: 'These eight new routes, and our unique low fare services offer the UK consumer, and potential visitors to the UK unbeatable travel value. At a time when British Airways are executing their strategy of carrying fewer non premium passengers, reducing their capacity on short-haul European markets, and attempting where possible to increase air fares, Ryanair is now increasingly the carrier of choice with both economy and business passengers to and from the UK. Over the last number of years our traffic has increased by over 1 million passengers each year, as British Airways' high fares continue to turn people away. 'The need for a strong and successful low fares carrier - like Ryanair, in the UK has never been more vital. In an attempt to restrict the amount of low fares available, British Airways subsidiary GO has recently introduced Saturday night stay restrictions on all its cheaper fares, effectively removing it from the low fares market. 'This major new expansion programme will involve an investment of over $200 million, in new aircraft, and the creation of over 250 new, highly paid, jobs in Stansted and Glasgow. Our fourth new route from Glasgow now establishes Glasgow Prestwick as Ryanair's third main base, and Ryanair now offers more international destinations direct from Glasgow than any other airline. This year Ryanair will also be increasing its capacity on the Glasgow-London Stansted route to ensure that Scottish consumers do not suffer higher fares following the withdrawal of KLM UK from the route. 'Ryanair and our low fares are here to stay. The strategy of British Airways and others to reduce capacity, turn away ordinary travellers, and increase air fares will fail. Competition will ensure that the cost of air travel to and from the UK continues to fall, and Ryanair will continue to be the leader of the fast growth low fares market to and from the UK.' Full details of all these eight new routes, and the special introductory launch fares are available on Europe's largest low fares website at www.RYANAIR.COM. For further information please Contact: www.RYANAIR.COM Michael O'Leary, Ryanair Tel. 0831-639043 Tim Jeans, Ryanair Tel. 07979-593646 Russell Stenhouse, Millennium PR Tel. 0385-380625 Miranda Leslau, Millennium PR Tel. 0385-461747
UK 100

Latest directors dealings