Budget airline Ryanair tonight challenged German flag-carrier Lufthansa to offer free flights if Germany beat Ireland in the World Cup.
The no-frills carrier, which has been caught up in a tussle with Lufthansa since opening a base near Frankfurt last year, said it would give away all seats
on its 12 routes to airports in Germany for one day if Ireland beat the Germans.
But they said the offer was conditional on the German airline reciprocating "in the unlikely event of Germany beating Ireland".
The Ryanair offer will be spelled out to would-be passengers in German newspaper advertisements tomorrow.
Mr Michael O'Leary, the Ryaniar’s chief executive, said his company had already established its fares could not be beaten by Lufthansa. "I am also confident that the Germans can't beat the Irish in the World Cup in June, so we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is - as long as Lufthansa will do the same," Mr O'Leary said.
"After all, Lufthansa have little to lose - particularly since Ireland will beat Germany," he added.
PA