Ryanair eyes French network

In a telling indication of future ambitions, Ryanair has applied for slots at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports and is willing to co-operate with long-haul traditional airlines, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told a French financial newspaper last week.

O'Leary said the new slots, if approved, would not be at the expense of Beauvais airport north of Paris and added that Ryanair also has projects at Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and several other French airports.

"It is not a matter of opening new bases there but new lines," he was quoted as saying.

Asked about co-operation with traditional airlines, O'Leary said Ryanair wants to develop its presence in major airports to capture new customers and because big airports are inviting Ryanair to come.

"It would be perfectly logical for long-haul airlines like Air France to ask for our help to reduce their losses on short-haul flights,’ he said, adding that Ryanair flights could feed Air France at Roissy, IAG flights at Gatwick or Lufthansa flights in Berlin.

"We have already had discussions about this topic with IAG, TAP, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic, Norwegian. I think we will be able to announce a few deals next summer," he said.  www.ryanair.com

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