Ryanair calls on Aer Lingus to reduce fares

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has criticised fellow Irish airline Aer Lingus for the charges it imposes on its passengers.

Ryanair has said that it "welcomes" the airline's "confession" that it charges passengers twice as much as Ryanair to travel in Europe, claiming that its €91 (£70) European short haul fare rose by three per cent in the last year to €94 (£72).

Dublin-based Ryanair owns a 29 per cent stake in its smaller rival, following an unsuccessful takeover bid that was launched in September 2006 after the company was privatised.

Ryanair's head of communications Peter Sherrard said: "While Ryanair continues to drive down fares for European passengers, Aer Lingus is increasing its fares and fuel surcharges. On routes within Europe, Aer Lingus now charges twice as much as Ryanair.

"Ryanair's bid for Aer Lingus guaranteed ten per cent fare reductions as well as the removal of Aer Lingus' unjustified fuel surcharges, generating passenger savings of over €100 million (£76 million) per annum."

He went on to add that the European Commission's "nakedly political prohibition of Ryanair's bid" had resulted in increased fares and further raised fuel surcharges by Aer Lingus.

"Aer Lingus can't match Ryanair's prices and it can't match Ryanair's punctuality either," he said.

© Adfero Ltd