Ryanair in talks to run flights from Glasgow Airport
The budget airline's chief executive insists it is 'keen' to run flights from the airport.
Budget airline Ryanair could expand its operations to Glasgow Airport, according to its chief executive.
The airline has been discussing the possibility with Glasgow Airport since the beginning of 2011, although Michael O'Leary said talks may continue for another year as they are still at an earlier stage.
He insisted the airport was "keen" to have a Ryanair presence.
Speaking in Glasgow, the businessman said: "We started talking to Glasgow International about the possibility of flights. They are keen. They are not growing very fast at the moment, whereas Edinburgh has been growing rapidly in the last year or two.
"I think they are keen to get Ryanair's low fares in there."
Ryanair's relationship with the BAA-owned airport is "not good" he said, but added he is optimistic that any sell-off of the site would change that.
He insisted: "We have been one of the most vocal critics of the BAA airports, particularly the damage they have done to Scottish tourism. BAA airports were run from London, by London for London, and I think the sale of Glasgow Airport will herald in an era of very aggressive competition between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and that can only be good for passengers and for visitors."
'A social service'
Ryanair wants to operate flights between Scotland's biggest city and holiday sunspots, as well as business routes and less typical summer destinations, Mr O'Leary said.
He said he wants to use routes already used by his competitors, and insisted: "We're not in this business to make a profit.
"We're a social service. We are here to carry people at the very lowest fares. We do it for the love: love of passengers, love of community, love of our fellow Gaelic, Gael."
Mr O'Leary continued: "We like to make money on new routes and we like to make money kicking the high-fare Easyjet around the place as well. We will make money on both."
But he said any flights from Glasgow would not affect the company's base in Prestwick, which he said will still be its main airport for the region.
And the decision to scrap the popular Prestwick-Stansted route would be reversed only if and when the tax on airport passengers was reversed.
A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "Like any airport operator, we meet with airlines on a regular basis. And while we have held exploratory discussions with Ryanair, at no time whatsoever did we receive any serious note of interest from the airline to build a base at Glasgow Airport, as they've told us they're happy at Prestwick."
(Scotland TV)
The budget airline's chief executive insists it is 'keen' to run flights from the airport.
Budget airline Ryanair could expand its operations to Glasgow Airport, according to its chief executive.
The airline has been discussing the possibility with Glasgow Airport since the beginning of 2011, although Michael O'Leary said talks may continue for another year as they are still at an earlier stage.
He insisted the airport was "keen" to have a Ryanair presence.
Speaking in Glasgow, the businessman said: "We started talking to Glasgow International about the possibility of flights. They are keen. They are not growing very fast at the moment, whereas Edinburgh has been growing rapidly in the last year or two.
"I think they are keen to get Ryanair's low fares in there."
Ryanair's relationship with the BAA-owned airport is "not good" he said, but added he is optimistic that any sell-off of the site would change that.
He insisted: "We have been one of the most vocal critics of the BAA airports, particularly the damage they have done to Scottish tourism. BAA airports were run from London, by London for London, and I think the sale of Glasgow Airport will herald in an era of very aggressive competition between Glasgow and Edinburgh, and that can only be good for passengers and for visitors."
'A social service'
Ryanair wants to operate flights between Scotland's biggest city and holiday sunspots, as well as business routes and less typical summer destinations, Mr O'Leary said.
He said he wants to use routes already used by his competitors, and insisted: "We're not in this business to make a profit.
"We're a social service. We are here to carry people at the very lowest fares. We do it for the love: love of passengers, love of community, love of our fellow Gaelic, Gael."
Mr O'Leary continued: "We like to make money on new routes and we like to make money kicking the high-fare Easyjet around the place as well. We will make money on both."
But he said any flights from Glasgow would not affect the company's base in Prestwick, which he said will still be its main airport for the region.
And the decision to scrap the popular Prestwick-Stansted route would be reversed only if and when the tax on airport passengers was reversed.
A spokesman for Glasgow Airport said: "Like any airport operator, we meet with airlines on a regular basis. And while we have held exploratory discussions with Ryanair, at no time whatsoever did we receive any serious note of interest from the airline to build a base at Glasgow Airport, as they've told us they're happy at Prestwick."
(Scotland TV)
