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 2003
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- ________
AIR FRANCE REDUCES MIDWEEK RETURN AIR FARES FROM STRASBOURG TO LONDON BY 70%
THANKS TO RYANAIR'S EVIDENCE IN THE NANCY COURT OF APPEAL
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Wednesday, 10th December
2003) welcomed the dramatic fare reductions introduced by Air France on their
midweek return fares from Strasbourg to London from an outrageous EUR800 return
to EUR189 return, a reduction of 70% in the lowest midweek return Air France air
fare.
Welcoming this dramatic volte-face by Air France, Ryanair's Chief Executive,
Michael O'Leary said;
"This enormous price reduction highlights just how much Air France have been
overcharging consumers on the Strasbourg-London route in recent weeks. Air
France have been so embarrassed by these high fares and Ryanair's evidence in
the Court of Appeal in Nancy, that they have been forced to reduce this lowest
midweek return air fare to EUR189. Even at this price, Air France's lowest
return fare is still more than 4 times higher than that of Ryanair from Baden
Baden to London, but it shows that Air France are running scared of competition
and low fares from Ryanair.
"Air France do not want competition and do not want low fares in the French
market. As soon as Ryanair had moved from Strasbourg to Baden Baden in
September, Air France/Britair returned to the Strasbourg route charging lowest
midweek return fares of EUR800. Just eight weeks later during the week in which
the Ryanair appeal was being heard on the Court of Appeal in Nancy, Air France
suddenly reduce these prices by 70%.
"These enormous prices reductions show that French consumers/visitors
particularly in the Strasbourg/Alsace region need Ryanair's presence in order to
ensure fair competition and low fares. We hope the Court of Appeal in Nancy will
take account of this damning evidence on the part of Air France, and that the
Court will agree with the Government Commissioner and reject Britair's appeal
and award costs against Britair.
"Ryanair will continue to fight for competition and low fares not just in
Strasbourg but in France".
As a result of the hundreds of people who came to the Court of Appeal in Nancy
yesterday morning, Ryanair have already sold over 300 of the free seats
available for supporters of Ryanair and low fares on the Baden Baden-London
route. The offer remains open for booking today, 10th of December, and we urge
all intending passengers to book early, as these free seats will be taken
quickly.
Ends Wednesday, 10th December 2003
For further information
please contact:Paul Fitzsimmons 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: 10 December 2003
By:___/s/ Howard Millar____
H Millar
Company Secretary & Finance Director