Ryanair reveals plans to become one of the biggest airlines in the world
Michael OLeary has revealed that he plans to make Ryanair one of the biggest airlines in the world with new routes in Scandanvia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
The budget airlines outspoken chief executive has outlined ambitious expansion plans that would see the company almost double the number of passengers and stretch its reach across Europe.
High hopes: The ambitious expansion plans would see Ryanair almost double the number of passengers and stretch its reach across Europe
In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr OLeary said he wanted to increase passenger numbers to between 120 million and 130 million over the next decade.
He revealed that the airline is in talks with US, Chinese and Russian plane manufacturers over the purchase of 200 to 300 new aircraft.
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Mr OLeary said he was looking to take a large delivery of aircraft between 2015 and 2021 and insisted that he would only buy them at cheap prices.
The Dublin-based airline carried 72.1 million passengers be! tween 20 10 and 2011 but the plans could double the size of its fleet of about 270 aircraft.
Mr O'Leary claims Ryanair could increase its share of the European market
Mr O'Leary said the airline could deploy 50 new aircraft to serve Scandinavia and a further 100 to service the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
The outspoken Irishman added that Ryanair could increase its share of the European short-haul market as the tough economic environment boosts demand for low-cost travel.
Mr O'Leary is well-known for courting controversy with his cost-cutting suggestions, which have included charging to use the toilets on planes, removing a toilet, standing passenger space, and scrapping the role of the co-pilot.
Most recently the airline announced that passengers will soon have to pay for flights using the airlines pre-paid payment method if they want to escape card charges.
From November, the Ryanair Cash Passport will be the only way to avoid the extra fees, which could add up to 48 for a family of four buying return flights.
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