EU investigation into restrictions on flights to Sardina

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Ryanair News
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News Release
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27.07.06
RYANAIR WELCOMES EU INVESTIGATION
INTO ITALIAN RESTRICTIONS ON FLIGHTS TO SARDINIA

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline today (Thursday, 27th July 2006) welcomed the EU Commission’s announcement of an enquiry into the abuse of PSO rules to block competition from low fare airlines and protect high fare Italian airlines.

On May 2nd, the Italian authorities blocked Ryanair and Easyjet from offering low fare flights between mainland Italy and Sardinia thereby ending competition and choice. In the 3 months since Ryanair was forced off the routes average fares have since increased fourfold from €40 to €160.

Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, Ryanair’s Head of Communications, said:

“Sardinian consumers and visitors are being ripped off, denied choice and paying fares 4 times higher than Ryanair’s, solely as a result of the unlawful actions of the Italian authorities to block Ryanair’s flights and permit the routes to be taken over by high fare Italian airlines.

“We hope the EU investigation will be completed quickly and Ryanair’s low fares restored to the Sardinian routes”.