RPT Ryanair to double Italy traffic in 5 yrs; worries on sector regulation plan

RPT Ryanair to double Italy traffic in 5 yrs; worries on sector regulation plan

	Published : Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:01 By : Agencies Print this Story

(Clarifying 3rd par quote to say is Bianchi's belief, not Ryanair view)

MILAN (AFX) - Ryanair Holdings PLC plans to double its traffic to and from Italy in the next five years, from 12 mln passengers seen in the year to March, said south Europe sales and marketing director Bridget Dowling.

Speaking at a news conference, Dowling also said plans to overhaul regulation in Italy's air sector, particularly regional airport use, are 'ridiculous' and favour Alitalia SpA.

'This proposal is ridiculous. Transport minister Alessandro Bianchi believes he has the responsibility to help Alitalia, but he should not forget that he must encourage traffic in all regions,' she said.

Ryanair is particularly concerned by reports the plan would restrict international flights from regional airports handling less than 5 mln passengers per year, she said.

In Italy, Ryanair operates 114 domestic and international routes from 22 airports across the country.

Dowling said Bianchi has admitted in newspaper interviews he wants to help Alitalia, adding Ryanair has already 'mentioned' the Italy plan to the European Commission in their contacts.

'If the (proposal) goes ahead, there will certainly be consequences,' she said, without giving further details.

Ryanair has no interest in bidding for Alitalia in the privatisation, while a new owner for the flag carrier could promote healthy competition, she said.

Dowling also commented on local concerns about noise at Rome's Ciampino airport, and said Italy's sector regulator is studying the noise generated by different users, including Ryanair.

She said Ryanair has the youngest fleet in Europe, is not to blame for the noise at Ciampino, and does not fly at night, noting that the airport is also used by military and carrier services.

The regulator could ask users to cut Ciampino traffic back to 2000 levels, equivalent to halving Ryanair's 3 mln passengers a year, she said.

Ryanair is ready to leave Ciampino if the issue is not resolved, she said, adding that slots at Rome's Fiumicino airport are not available and would be too expensive to acquire.

On expansion, Dowling said Ryanair's Italian activities are among the group's fastest growing. Routes from Milan to Nottingham in England, and Valladolid will be added in Feb-March.

Ryanair could open a fourth Italian hub at Treviso in the north east, but no final decision has been taken, she said.

nigel.tutt@afxnews.com

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