Prime Minister Socrates Launc

RNS Number : 4602Y

Ryanair Holdings PLC

03 September 2009

 



Prime Minister SÓcrates LAUnCHES Ryanair's NEW PORTO BASE

3 aircraft, 22 routes and 2M passengerS P.A.

Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, today (Thursday, 3rd September 2009) celebrated the official opening of its first base in Portugal by Prime Minister, Mr. José Socrates. Ryanair's Porto base, its 33rd in Europe, will operate with three based aircraft, 22 routes and deliver 2m passengers p.a. which will sustain 2,000 local jobs at Porto Airport.

Prime Minister Sócrates joined Ryanair's Michael O'Leary, in urging all Irish voters to say 'Yes to Europe' in the referendum on October 2nd next.  Ryanair said that its growth from small regional Irish airline to the Europe's largest scheduled carrier and the creation of over 6,500 well paid jobs would not have been possible without the de-regulation of the airline industry by the European Union in 1997.

Ryanair celebrated the launch of its Porto base, by releasing 1 million FREE seats for travel across its European network in October and November, which are available for booking on www.ryanair.com until midnight Sunday (6th Sept).

In Porto, Ryanair's Michael O'Leary said:

'Ryanair is honoured that Prime Minister Sócrates has joined us to officially open our Porto base, which is our first in Portugal and our 33rd in Europe. Ryanair's 2m passengers p.a. in Porto will help to create and sustain 2,000 local jobs. This new base demonstrates the opportunities that EU membership has delivered for Irish companies operating across Europe. Ryanair has become Europe's largest airline thanks to the de-regulation of the industry by the EU. A strong Europe allows small companies in countries like Ireland and Portugal to become world beaters, this is why I am again urging all Irish voters to say 'Sim à Europa' ('Yes to Europe')  on October 2nd next.'

Prime Minister, José Sócrates said:

'The Portuguese Government made efforts to attract low cost airlines bringing new routes to obtain more tourists from more origins, contributing to economic development, more investments and employment. This operational base now confirms Porto and Northern Portugal as an even greater tourist destination, but will also strengthen the central role of Porto in the North-West of the Iberian Peninsula. The launch of this base is also a proof of confidence in the Portuguese economy and the recognition of the quality of our infrastructures and particularly in the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Only the existence of a modern and efficient airport allowed Ryanair to install one of their operational bases in Portugal, which will have a significant economic impact in this region of the country.'

Ends.                         Thursday, 3rd September 2009

For further information:

Daniel De Carvalho - Ryanair        Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants 

Tel: [phone]                    Tel: [phone]

 

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