Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair, has promised €99 fares ($125 dollars) across the Atlantic to and from America if he succeeds in winning a majority share in Aer Lingus.
Ryanair currently holds 29.4 percent share in the rival airline but his bid of $900 million for the whole airline is currently under review by the European Union monopolies commission. If Ryanair succeeds, Ireland would have only one major airline.
“Instead of having €200 fares across the Atlantic we will have €99 fares in the winter," he claimed.
"How many flights do you think you can fill going to the States for €99? Every single one of them," he told the Irish Independent newspaper.
He said he would retain the Aer Lingus brand which he has described as valuable. "We have no desire to take Aer Lingus and paint yellow harps on them. We need a two-airline brand strategy," he added.
Instead, he stated he would increase passenger numbers from 10 million to 15 million passengers a year by flying Aer Lingus into new airports across Europe.
He has said he will sell his Aer Lingus stock if the European Union votes against him.“If the commission turns down this remedies package then we would have to seriously consider exiting our investment in Aer Lingus,” O’Leary said.
Aer Lingus stock is up over 60 percent since the Ryanair bid emerged. O’Leary has stated that he will expand Aer Lingus from ten million to fifteen million passengers yearly and will not compete with them on existing routes.
O’Leary also claimed recent stories in Spain about the safety of Ryanair flights were a set up job.
"System-wide we had less than 100 safety incidents and all of these were routine. It is unusual to have ostensibly a European government leaking patently flawed stories to the Spanish newspapers."
He also stated his airline would never adopt laid back Google type work policies.
"We are not here for bean bags and pool tables. We have to work hard. It is the only way to get this thing done. That is how commoditised travel services work," he said. "As long as you give your customers a big price advantage they will go with you."
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Towngate | Oct 15, 2012, 08:12 AM EDT
jolly-know-all: (below) your attempt at veiled anti-Irish racism has not gone un-noticed! Btw: A five-gallon bucket and even a full copy of the Times would not cope with what you are full of!
jolynnnoel | Oct 10, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
The cheap airfare sounds nice; but what gets sacrificed? I can do without a lot of things, but I'd like to have a little more than a 5-gallon bucket and a page of the Irish Times in the loo, please.....:)
jacersagain | Oct 06, 2012, 08:25 AM EDT
I've made numerous attempts to post my comments on this article. Is this particular section of ICentral broken?
bob40wil | Oct 05, 2012, 12:58 PM EDT
I always fly AirLingus to Ireland and Scotland, never had a bad flight, I'm afraid O'Leary would be a very bad choice to run them.
arshman | Oct 05, 2012, 09:57 AM EDT
I have flown on Ryan air once. Never again. I will not be flying on Aer Lingus if he takes over. I don't want to sit on a stool for 8 hours with a rope in my hand in case there isn't enough fuel to get all the way across. Why not just merge with carnival cruises and make a real mess of all the possibilities. Deregulation has been a disaster in every area. We need more oversight of these characters.
simplesandy | Oct 05, 2012, 09:23 AM EDT
we are doomed if this happenes. read the comments about those against this and they are SPOT ON!! JUST REMEMBER ONE THIG...IF IT LOOKS TO GOOD THEN ITS NOT REAL
WoundedKnee | Oct 05, 2012, 09:18 AM EDT
pilib: Looks like you've never been on a plane. ALL carriers are charging for extras, from snacks on board to drinks to seat selcetion to baggage charges. Some are now even charging for carry-on. RyanAir has a pretty generous carry-on allowance as far as I remember. Maybe you need to save up and take a flight somewhere.
Oldwildrover | Oct 05, 2012, 08:25 AM EDT
All you critics of O'Leary...I'll bet you'll be first in line for the 99 euro fare. Someone was questioning the affordability....there are sales all the time from the east coast to the west coast for $299...same distance...and they are still making money. The big difference is that Ryan Air does not have baggage handlers and fuelers making 75,000 grand a year !!! (EI does)
seamus60 | Oct 05, 2012, 05:58 AM EDT
Bogside Not the same over there with bigger airports and more of his scary fly rounds.lol
bogsidebunny | Oct 05, 2012, 02:32 AM EDT
Michael O'Leary is the most savvy businessman this side of the pond. He's actually wasting his time pandering to a bunch of Celtic sots headed to Poland for drunkin bachlor and hen parties. Get thee to Amerikay and take over American Airlines, Michael.
pilib04 | Oct 04, 2012, 10:59 PM EDT
At 99 Euro's, I would expect that Ryanair will have a few xtra charges for "extras". I can live with the Extra charges, I just want to know the size of the plane.
irishpjk | Oct 04, 2012, 10:20 PM EDT
wtf.
Smyrnian | Oct 04, 2012, 08:23 PM EDT
Yeah, right. Economically unsustainable. He must think we are all fools.
seamus60 | Oct 04, 2012, 08:20 PM EDT
It will be something like fly over and glide back if his record is anything to go by. His company operates like some of those with adds on this site. Full of promises and overspilling with booby traps. Ones that you can`t get back out of without financial loss.
LGWLocal | Oct 04, 2012, 05:56 PM EDT
@ misneac You remind us that we once had a monopoly with Aer Lingus and that's one of your reasonings for supporting Michael O'Leary's attempt at taking Aer Lingus over which would then create another monopoly?! I fail to see your logic. Anyway, last year Michael O'Leary said he would offer €10 flights across the atlantic, wonder why it's gone up to €99 already? Probably because he can't keep track of all the rubbish he spouts to generate publicity.
WoundedKnee | Oct 04, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
A year or two back the Open Skies agreement between US and Europe was flagged as sure to bring down transAtlantic prices. It didn't. Prices are higher than they have been in a decade or two. I would have no objection to anyone new getting into the market, it could only do good. And as to service, I've flown RyanAir. I found their seats quite comfortable, with pretty decent legroom. Better than Continental 737s over here, for example. The service to/from Ireland on carriers like USAir and American is not much better than what you get on RyanAir in Europe. And last time I flew, they were charging seven bucks for a beer or a glass of wine with lunch--don't think RyanAir would charge that. There's another factor we need to keep an eye on. The dumb European Union is trying to bring in another airline tax, to include US carriers landing in Europe. That'll push fares up even more.
misneac | Oct 04, 2012, 02:45 PM EDT
I comepletely support Michael O Leary .Dont forget we had a monopoly airline in Ireland before - Aer Lingus ! But for Ryanair we would still be paying exhorbitant rates to travel to Europe and America .It never ceases to amaze me how members of the public trot out rubbishy smart alecky comments that they have picked up from the Sun/Star .I am not interested in travel frills , I want to get to my destination in safety and on time ,and Ryanair delivers on all counts . I have witnessed confrontations at check in desks when passengers feel aggrieved that the cant bring on board as "hand luggage " the equivalent of a fridge or an armchair ! Michael OLeary is a proven successful marketing man who is capable of improving Irelands tourist business ,if he did not have to deal with small minded people, and vested interests .!
seanskelligs | Oct 04, 2012, 02:00 PM EDT
Would you believe a word out of this guys mouth? In October his prices to Lanzarote average 220 euro-about $275 each way.....and that trip is exactly half the distance as Ireland to New York so would probably be about $550 each way for a New York Flight.....plus the extras for everything from toilet paper to whatever he thinks of next.
Nelsonbarry | Oct 04, 2012, 01:40 PM EDT
You will probably have to stand all the way. $50.00 for toilet use.
irishcoffeekid | Oct 04, 2012, 01:24 PM EDT
the seat is $125 each way - if you actually want to put it on the plane thats going, that will cost you the other $750 to include insurance, fuel, toilet paper, baggage, and the pilot..... :)
irishcoffeekid | Oct 04, 2012, 01:15 PM EDT
I agree - it would be really nice to have better competition on the US route to Ireland - i've seen my ticket prices rise from 5 years ago from an average of $449 now hitting the $1099 for the exact same time of year on a regular basis - you rarely get tickets home under $500 now so would love someone to shake up United (since they took over Continental the fares are higher) and get us better deals but not sure how i'd feel about Ryan Air flying me to the USA - if they maintain Aer Lingus brand thats one thing but if he implements the cattle mart mentalilty he has with Ryan Air he may get us once to test it but thats about it. I don't want to have to beat people to get my seat or get screwed for trying to bring 2 bags home with gifts!!!
Searlit | Oct 04, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT
I don't buy it, prices are steep, I think monopolies are a bad idea. A move like this would put that guy, who makes jokes about people standing while flying (at least I thought it was a joke) in charge of all of Irelands airlines? Never put too much power in one persons hands. What are you going to do, just trust him when he says $125 fares? With the price of fuel alone, it dosen't make any sense. Reminds me of Romney's Tax cut for the rich plan.
ocaiside | Oct 04, 2012, 12:33 PM EDT
While the low-cost fares would be welcome, Mr. O'Leary had best pay attention to American law regarding disclosure of fees, etc. The Ryanair tradition of low-balling the fares and making money on one fee after the other is now illegal in the US, at least so far as advertising is concerned. They'll need to reveal the total cost of a trip up-front. Blarney is not good enough.
LGWLocal | Oct 04, 2012, 12:07 PM EDT
Anyone with any common sense will know these level of fares are unsustainable and will ultimately be loss making for the airline. Flying a 300 seat aircraft is an expensive business, anyone expecting lovely low fares needs a reality check. Michael O'Leary will never charge these fares, he's just trying to create publicity for his cause as usual, it's just surprising so many are still lapping it up.
DuffyOD | Oct 04, 2012, 11:49 AM EDT
With all their hidden fees, the 99 euro will eventually be north of 200 euro but my biggest concern is if they will fill the feul tank.
Connie Moran | Oct 04, 2012, 11:43 AM EDT
we need this so badly.
cillowen | Oct 04, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT
what a deal - but can we pee aND FOR HOW MUCH.
bostonrugby | Oct 04, 2012, 11:20 AM EDT
I say let him at it, I like his two brand idea. This is exactly what the folks over at the Gathering need, as they have no answers as to providing reasonable value airfares back to the auld sod for next years.
JohnnyMac | Oct 04, 2012, 11:17 AM EDT
Who's kidding who? RyanAir has 99 euro flights to alot of places and none of them are 99 euro. That airline has the more added fees and surcharges than any other airline out there. Trust me, the 99 euro one way ticket will be 275 euro before you leave the ticket counter.
torbreezy | Oct 04, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
NOW Mike O'Leary knows how to run a business: remove the shackles and let the good times roll . . . Just think what his $99 one-way winter fare would do for the Irish economy . . . .
Joe Kelsall | Oct 04, 2012, 10:16 AM EDT
Ah.Mick, Mick. If only the USA was a desiraable place to go to. Cuba is far nicer and a lot more relaxing and its politics are similarv to those of the Great Republic. Please change your mind. I'm telling you Mick; you will get arrested in the USA. Like me, you are an 'A' type person and can't stand the bu115h!t.
franky30 | Oct 04, 2012, 09:41 AM EDT
99 euro flights should rattle a few cages