Is Ryanair gearing up for new no-frills trans-Atlantic airline?
Ryanair may launch a separate airline that would fly long-haul between Europe and the US. The no-frills trans-Atlantic airline may offer fares as low as $US12 . The budget carrier confirmed comments made in an interview by Chief Executive Michael O’Leary that he has already had speculative approaches from US airports about setting up a service. Such development emerges as the battle on the trans-Atlantic routes is set to hot up after the European Union approved an aviation deal with the US recently to open up the restricted routes to new rivals. The “Open Skies” deal, which takes effect from the end of March 2008, will allow airlines to fly from anywhere in the EU to any point in the US, shedding limitations that also discourage them from charging what they like or combining with other carriers. O’Leary told trade magazine Flight International that the new airline could fly to five or six US cities from European bases and offer one-way fares as low as $US12. It would serve secondary US
