SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 6-K Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the month of December, 2002 RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC (Translation of registrant's name into English) c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office Dublin Airport County Dublin Ireland (Address of principal executive offices) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F..... Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ..... No ..X.. If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________ BYE BYE BRITISH AIRWAYS BYE BYE RYANAIR COMMENCES NEW ROUTE FROM DUBLIN TO NEWCASTLE ALL SEATS IN JANUARY AT EUR9.99 British Airways today announced its intention to withdraw three further routes from Ireland in addition to the services from Cork and Shannon which were withdrawn last year. The airline announced that it would close its routes from Dublin to Leeds Bradford, Newcastle and Southampton in March next year. This is the latest evidence that British Airways is unable to compete with Ryanair's low fares. On the Dublin-Bristol route, Ryanair's market share is currently 80% to British Airways 20%, and in the case of the Newcastle and Southampton routes, British Airways is unable to match either Ryanair's fares or passenger numbers from Dublin to Middlesborough/Teesside and Bournemouth airports. Responding to this news Ryanair, Europe's only low fares airline today announced the inauguration of a daily service from Dublin to Newcastle commencing on Saturday 4th January 2003. All seats in the first month will be for sale at a special introductory fare of EUR9.99 one way (tax inclusive). This represents a discount of 93% on the British Airways one way fare. Announcing the new service, Ryanair's Commercial Director, Michael Cawley said; "Ryanair has been providing links between Dublin and the North East of England ever since its Teesside service started in 1997. Passenger numbers have increased ever year on this route and such has been its success that we are now announcing the inauguration of the a daily service from Newcastle to Dublin to offer our low fare services on an even wider basis across the North East of England. "This service will offer low fares for the first time to Tynesiders and to those many thousands of Irish people who want to visit Newcastle and see the Magpies in action. British Airways may be gone from this route, but for the first time the people of Newcastle will be able to enjoy widely available low fares from Ryanair as their compatriots have at our 14 other airports throughout the UK. To celebrate this announcement we are offering all seats for sale in January at the fantastic low fare of EUR9.99 one-way (tax inclusive). Booking commences at 10.00am Wednesday 18th December." Ends. For further information please contact: Michael Cawley Pauline McAlester Ryanair Murray Consultants Tel. +353-1-8121212 Tel. +353-1-4980300 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized. RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC Date: 17 December 2002 By:___/s/ Howard Millar____ H Millar Company Secretary & Finance Director