RYANAIR'S Dublin Telesales Operatiion has become a victim of an upsurge in internet bookings.

The airline, which operates four routes from George Best Belfast City Airport including London Stansted, has announced that it plans to close its Dublin Telesales Operation (Ryanair Direct) at the end of May.

Rayanair says this may lead to up to 40 redundancies as part of its cost reduction programme to combat record high ($100 p.bl.) oil prices, while continuing to guarantee the lowest fares and no fuel surcharges for passengers.

Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary said: "The decision to close our Dublin Telesales activity is a painful one. Sadly, the operation is no longer viable or cost competitive against a backdrop of dwindling demand for phone bookings (now less than one per cent of sales) while Internet bookings now account for over 99 per cent of ticket sales. "Our existing Romanian and German call centres will continue to provide telesales services at 60% lower costs than Ryanair Direct. These kind of cost savings must be made if Ryanair is to remain Europe's lowest cost airline in these difficult recessionary markets.

"Whilst we will be encouraging these telesales people to apply for other vacancies in Ryanair, should they not apply or be successful, then they will be made redundant at the end of May.

"While record high oil prices and falling fares continue, it is sensible and prudent that we streamline our business and reduce costs in order to remain the only airline in Europe to guarantee the lowest fares and guarantee no fuel surcharges ever"