Ryanair News

News Release

19.05.09

Ryanair Pledges 1M Pax p.a. & 1,000 Jobs with Malta Base

Malta to lose 1M Pax and 1,000 jobs if Tourism Chiefs ignore Ryanair

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, today (19^th May) confirmed that its has provided the Malta Tourism Authority with a proposal to deliver in excess of 1 million additional passengers, creating at least 1,000 jobs and adding a much needed €275 million p.a. in tourism revenues by basing two Ryanair aircraft in Malta in order to reverse the island’s declining tourism figures.

Ryanair called on the Malta Tourism Authority to work with Ryanair to protect Malta tourism with the opening of a Ryanair base and the promotion of the island internationally. Ryanair is the only airline to continue to grow passenger traffic thanks to its guaranteed lowest fares and no fuel surcharges. Ryanair confirmed that while passenger traffic is falling in Malta, Ryanair continues to grow. Ryanair based operations would dramatically increase this passenger growth if it was supported by Malta Tourism Authority.

Ryanair’s Ken O’Toole said:

“Ryanair has provided a rescue plan to the Malta Tourism Authority which would see Ryanair base two aircraft and deliver in excess of 1 million additional passengers to sustain 1,000 local jobs in Malta.

Today we call on the Malta Tourism Authority to work with Ryanair to promote the island internationally and allow us to deliver 1 million of high spending international tourists to Malta which will generate over €275 million in tourism revenues and protect the future of those working in Malta’s tourism industry.”