Ryanair traffic climbs 15 per cent

Date: 4/11/2009

Discount airline Ryanair reported a 15 per cent rise in October traffic
over the same month last year leaving the company to boast "we will soon
be number one".

Air traffic increased at Ryanair, according to company reports, as part of its expansion efforts to attract recession-weary customers.

The low-cost airline predicted it would dominate the UK skies within
months, capitalising on BA's reduction of flights and Ryanair's planned
expansion.

Ryanair is in talks with Boeing to secure another possible 200 aircraft
but the aeroplane manufacturer and the airline are having trouble
deciding on a price.

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive said he was all-for the new
planes, but was having a hard time getting a commitment out of Boeing.

"There is a relatively small gap between us in terms of pricing," he
noted.

Mr O'Leary admitted that if a deal couldn't be struck, Ryanair would
have to adjust their expansion strategy going forward and return some
cash to shareholders.

The company's plane volumes are reportedly stagnant year-over-year with
about 85 per cent of flight capacity typically full.