Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline, has called for urgent action to
stop what it calls "the Dublin Airport monopoly¹s price gouging of Irish
passengers."
The DAA is proposing a 15 per cent increase in airport charges for 2007,
five times the rate of inflation, says the airline. Ryanair believes that
Irish passengers should not suffer huge monopoly price hikes while stuck in
long queues and suffering third world facilities at the Dublin Airport
monopoly.
Peter Sherrard, Ryanair's Head of Communications, said: "Irish passengers
and visitors should not pay 15 per cent price hikes ­ five times the rate of
inflation - whilst at the same time suffering third rate, third world
facilities at Dublin airport. There is no justification for a 15 per cent
price increase at Dublin Airport when inflation is just three per cent.
"The Irish Government should take a leaf from the UK where this morning the
OFT (Office of Fair Trading) proposes to refer the BAA airport monopoly to
the Competition Commission for investigation. Competition works ­ monopolies
don't.
"Urgent action is required to protect Irish consumers from this Government
protected airport monopoly. Ryanair again calls on the Irish Government to
honour its election promise to deliver a competing second terminal at Dublin
Airport.
"A competing second terminal would improve services and eliminate these
anti-consumer monopoly price increases, which are running at five times the
rate of inflation".