SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of November, 2003
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office
Dublin Airport
County Dublin Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
VIRGIN EXPRESS - JUST ANOTHER HIGH FARES AIRLINE
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline, today (24th Nov 03) welcomed the Q3
results announcement by Virgin Express - Belgium's high fares airline - which
proves that Virgin Express is neither a low cost nor a low fares airline.
Commenting today on Virgin Express's figures, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael
O'Leary said;
"Virgin Express's average one way fare, as confirmed by their results
released this morning, is almost EUR80. This is almost double the Ryanair
average fare of EUR46 and some 20% higher than Easyjet's average fare of
EUR68. The problem for Virgin Express is that their fares are much too
high, and they can't compete with real low fares airlines. All they can do
is complain about the competition. Virgin Express claim they want a "level
playing field", but when they were offered a level playing field by
Brussels Charleroi Airport both two years ago and again two weeks ago, they
turned it down in both cases. Virgin Express are afraid to come to
Charleroi because they can't compete with Ryanair's fares.
"Of the three "so called" low fares airlines (Ryanair, Easyjet and Virgin
Express), Virgin Express charges by far the highest fares. Also Virgin
Express has the highest costs per passenger and Virgin Express generates the
smallest ancillary sales as the following table illustrates.
Ryanair Easyjet Virgin Express
Half Year to 30/9/03 Half Year to 30/9/03 Q.3 to 30/9/03
Ave. Pass. Fare EUR46 EUR68 EUR80
Other sales per pass. EUR6.40 EUR3.80 EUR2.46
Ave. Cost per pass. EUR36 EUR62 EUR79
"The problem for Virgin Express is that they are just another high cost,
high fares airline. They can't compete with Ryanair's low fares, in fact
they can't compete with anybody's low fares. Earlier this year Virgin
Express cancelled their plans to launch a base in Cologne Bonn Airport
because of competition from Hapag Lloyd Express and Germanwings.
"Ryanair's low cost base at Brussels Charleroi has been offered to, and
twice rejected by Virgin Express. They prefer to cover up their high fares
and high costs by claiming - falsely - that Ryanair receives State Aid at
Charleroi. Ryanair has negotiated a low cost base at Charleroi and Ryanair
passes it to consumers in lower fares. Virgin Express could do likewise, but
Virgin Express don't really want to sell low fares.
"Virgin Express want the low cost base at Charleroi to be increased, so that
Belgian consumers and visitors are forced to pay higher fares. The only way
for Virgin Express's results to improve is if their competitors are forced
to pay higher costs and charge higher fares.
"Ryanair will continue to lower fares, we will continue to expand our low
cost base at Brussels Charleroi, and we suggest that Virgin Express do
likewise. The future success of Virgin Express depends on competing with
other airlines, by offering low fares and not just complaining about
competitors."
Ends.
For further information
please contact:Paul FitzsimmonsPauline McAlester
RyanairMurray Consultants
Tel. 353-1-8121212Tel. 353-1-4980300
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
Date: 24 November 2003
By:___/s/ Howard Millar____
H Millar
Company Secretary & Finance Director