Ryanair Calls on EU to Reduce Regulatory Burden

Budget airline, Ryanair, has called on the European Commission to reduce the regulatory burden and associated costs on airlines.

Airline Chief Executive Officer Michael O'Leary has also called on the European Commission to reconsider its prohibition of Ryanair's offer for Aer Lingus with consolidation taking place among other airlines.

The low-cost operator also wants the EU to clampdown on fuel surcharges and so-called 'screenscraper ticket selling' as part of a range of measures that it claims would keep air fares low and encourage people to continue to fly during the recession.

In a statement, a spokesman for Ryanair said: "Ryanair has written to the European Commission drawing its attention to the fact that oil prices have fallen by over 50% in recent months, yet many high fares airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa and Aer Lingus have failed to reduce their unjustified fuel surcharges at all."

According to Michael O Leary, the European airline industry is facing a more difficult operating climate than anytime over the past 50 years.

"The European economy is in recession, consumer confidence and spending has collapsed and we need real leadership from the EU Commission if we are to keep Europe flying and keep delivering lower fares with no fuel surcharges for Europe's consumers," he said.

Mr O'Leary further called for the scrapping of recent passenger compensation legislation, the proposed airport-charging directive, and the seven State Aid investigations against Ryanair's contracts at small regional airports.

(DW)