Monthly Archives: November 2006

“It’s interesting reading US weblogs when they wax enthusiastic about
Ryanair, typically on the foot of this BusinessWeek article.

Here’s the thing — flying Ryanair is a deeply unpleasant experience.
I’ve heard rumour that their staff are paid commission based on how
many discretionary charges they can pile onto the basic fare — leaving
you feeling nickled and dimed at every turn — and that certainly
matches with my experience. I mean, I’ve had better service in train
stations in Uttar Pradesh.”

Link: http://taint.org/2006/11/22/152448a.html

“Budget carrier Ryanair is negotiating with Israeli authorities to
serve Tel Aviv from London in 2007, The Jewish Chronicle reported.”

Link: http://jta.org/page_view_breaking_story.asp?intidV38

“Ryanair Holdings CEO Michael O’Leary makes no apologies for his penny-pinching. Want to check luggage? You’ll pay up to $9.50 per bag for the privilege. Free drinks and snacks? Forget about it. Even a bottle of water will set you back $3.40. It’s not just passengers who have to cough it up. Flight crew buy their own uniforms, and staff at Ryanair’s spartan Dublin Airport headquarters must supply their own pens. After a customer sued Ryanair for charging $34 for the use of a wheelchair, the company added a 63 cents “wheelchair levy” to every ticket. Says O’Leary: “You want luxury? Go somewhere else.”.”

Link: http://www.businessweek.com

“Belfast is listed as a ‘city on the rise’ and Northern Ireland has
been tipped by a top travel guide as one of the “must-see” countries
to visit in 2007. The Lonely Planet Bluelist featured NI in the “Go
List” section of its guide – a chapter dedicated to detailing the hot
destinations for the coming year.”

Link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6147838.stm

“Easyjet has reported a 56% rise in annual profits, helped by a growth
in passenger numbers and new routes.
The low-cost carrier made a pre-tax profit of £129m in the year to the
end of September – despite the big rise in fuel costs.”

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6145872.stm

“Norway is the world’s best place to live, according to the United
Nations Human Development Index. Here’s everything you’d want to know
about the Scandinavian paradise.”

Link: http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/09/insider.norway/index.html?eref=rss_latest

“The curious case of Ryanair’s subcontractors Crewlink Ltd and their
present, yet non-existent aircraft employees.”

Link: title="http://www.indymedia.ie/">http://www.indymedia.ie/

“Ryanair has higher hopes for the winter period and has lifted its profit forecasts for the year after reporting record half-year profits. Net, or post-tax, profits for the six months to the end of September rose 39% to 329m euros ($418.2m; £220m).”

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6119846.stm

“Ryanair said on Wednesday it had formed a gaming partnership with Internet bingo group Jackpotjoy, adding another new revenue stream as it seeks to boost cash flow from areas other than ticket sales.”

Link: http://news.airwise.com/story/view/1162379775.html

“Ryanair, Europe’s largest no-frills carrier, says it has been obliged to postpone the introduction of new flights between European and Moroccan destinations because of EU regulation delays.

It said that flights from Marseille and Frankfurt to Fes, Marrakesh and Oujda would not now start until December 1, though services from Luton, near London, to Fes and Marrakesh, would begin as planned next month.”

Link: http://au.news.yahoo.com

“Budget airline Easyjet has slammed calls by the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University in its latest report to make flying less attractively priced.”

Link: http://www.accountancyage.com