Sir, - The letter from the chairman of Aer Rianta (August 7th) was revealing because of what it failed to include. No reference was made to customers or consumers, nor to the development of low access air-fares, upon which our tourism industry and national economy are so heavily dependent. But we should not be surprised. No one should seriously expect the chairman of a State monopoly to welcome competition, choice, or press for lower charges for the consumer.
What the chairman of Aer Rianta continues to deliberately ignore is the success of Ryanair in developing low-fare routes from the UK to Europe, launched from the platform of low-cost access to participating airports. Ryanair has opened 15 new routes in the last two years from the UK to Europe, offering fares starting from as little as £29 one-way from London to Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, France, etc.
By comparison, the Irish air traveller using Dublin to fly to these countries has missed these bargains. Presently from Dublin one can pay as much as £700 return in midweek to fly to Germany, Italy or Spain. These fares are ridiculously expensive. Why was Aer Rianta investing taxpayers' money in overseas airports, duty-free operations and hotels when it should have been developing even basic facilities and new low-fare routes to and from Dublin?
Ryanair has already offered to build a badly needed new terminal at Dublin Airport at no cost to the customer or taxpayer. We have offered to open up 10 new low-fare routes between Dublin and continental Europe, giving Irish travellers the benefit of low-cost access to these destinations and bringing at least a million additional visitors, many of them high-spending tourists from Italy, Germany, France and Scandinavia. This would create over 500 additional jobs.
There is no downside to these proposals, yet Aer Rianta continues to oppose them and instead advocate plans which will raise charges and increase air fares.
The Government, on behalf of the taxpayer and air traveller, must insist on the development of efficient airport facilities and low-cost air services. The most effective way to do this is to end the Aer Rianta monopoly.
Competition has revolutionised air travel, telecommunications, broadcasting, health insurance and most other services which were the preserve of the public sector. Competition can and will improve facilities and reduce costs at Dublin Airport.
The Government must drive this badly needed competition at Dublin Airport on behalf of the consumer, the visitor and Ireland's tourist industry. - Yours, etc.,
Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive, Ryanair, Dublin Airport.