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 August, 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- ________
RYANAIR ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ITS STRASBOURG-LONDON ROUTE FROM
SEPTEMBER 24TH NEXT
French tourism and the Alsace region loses to
Baden Baden Airport in Germany, just 40kms away
Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline today (26 August'03) confirmed that it
had not received confirmation from the Nancy Court of Appeal of the stay it had
requested on the Strasbourg Court's order requiring the Strasbourg Chamber of
Commerce to terminate its commercial agreement with Ryanair on 24 September
next.
In order to give passengers at least four weeks notice, Ryanair has been forced
to confirm that with effect from 24 September next, the two daily
Strasbourg-London flights will be suspended and will operate instead to Baden
Baden Airport in Germany which is just 40kms away from the city of Strasbourg.
Ryanair sincerely regrets that Air France's misguided Court action has resulted
in the Alsace region losing the only daily low fare service on the Strasbourg
route and up to 130,000 visitors a year to Baden Baden in Germany.
Ryanair has confirmed to both Strasbourg Airport and the Chamber of Commerce
that this suspension will be temporary. If and when we receive a stay on the
judgement (or win the appeal), then Ryanair will make arrangements to recommence
flights on the London-Strasbourg route. Ryanair expects in time to obtain a stay
on the judgement and to overturn the original decision of the Strasbourg Court,
and when we do so, the London service will be secured long into the future.
Speaking at a press conference in Strasbourg this morning, Ryanair's Chief
Executive Michael O'Leary said;
"Ryanair and our partners at Strasbourg Airport are disappointed that we
have so far been unable to get a stay on the decision of the lower court
which would enable us to continue the route until the appeal is heard.
However, in the absence of such a stay, we must respect the Court's original
decision and give our customers at least four weeks notice of these
alternative arrangements. Obviously Strasbourg's loss will be Baden Baden's
gain.
"It is wrong that the anti-competitive Court actions of Air France should
result in Strasbourg and the Alsace region losing - even on a temporary
basis - its only scheduled air service to London. It is wrong that the State
aid rules can be misused by high fare flag carriers to limit competition,
consumer choice and lower fares.
"Ryanair and our partners in Strasbourg will fight this appeal and we look
forward to restoring our successful low fare route between London and
Strasbourg as soon as we receive notification from the Court of a stay on
the decision, or as soon as we win the appeal.
"It is fundamentally wrong that secondary and regional airports in France -
just because they are owned by Government or local authorities - should be
prevented from competing with privately owned airports in Europe to win the
rapid traffic and tourism growth, and the enormous economic benefits which
Ryanair's low fare services bring to every airport at which we operate. We
call on the French Government to make its position clear in support of
regional airports such as Strasbourg who wish to develop low fare, direct
international routes from their airports. Jobs and tourism in the French
regions cannot and will not survive if all visitors to France are forced to
use the Air France hub at Charles de Gaulle. Direct low fare services are
vital, and the French Government must now support the regional airports and
Ryanair as we continue to develop tourism and jobs in the regions.
"I would like to apologise sincerely to all of our customers who will be
inconvenienced by the switch of these flights from Strasbourg to Baden Baden
Airport on the 24th of September next. All passengers who hold bookings
after the 24th of September will be offered either a full refund or a
transfer of their ticket on our new low fares London-Baden Baden service.
Our customers and supporters in the Strasbourg and Alsace region may rest
assured that Ryanair will continue to fight to change the Strasbourg Court
decision so that we may restore our successful partnership with Strasbourg
Airport which has in its first 12 months of operation delivered 200,000
passengers on a route where Air France even in its best year only carried
30,000".
Ends 26th August 2003
For further information
please contact: Paul Fitzsimmons Pauline McAlester
Ryanair Murray Consultants
Tel. 353-1-8121212 Tel. 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: 26 August, 2003
By:___/s/ Howard Millar____
H Millar
Company Secretary & Finance Director