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 September, 2006
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- ________
RYANAIR ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUTES FROM MALTA,
ITS 24th COUNTRY OF OPERATION
Ryanair, Europe's leading low fares airline, today (Thursday, 7th September
2006), announced the commencement of three new routes to Malta International
Airport from London Luton, Pisa and Dublin. These routes are a direct response
to the Maltese Government's initiative to attract low fare airlines to the
island. The Government has accepted in full Ryanair's proposals and the airline
is now confirming the commencement dates and frequency of these services.
Ryanair, on a year round basis, will fly a daily service from London Luton
starting on the 31st October 2006, a three times weekly service from Pisa
starting on the 31st October 2006 and a three times weekly service from Dublin,
which commences on the 9th February 2007.
Commenting on the announcement of the new routes, Ryanair's Deputy Chief
Executive, Michael Cawley said:
"Ryanair is delighted to announce these new routes to Malta, which we
hope will be the commencement of a long and growing relationship with
the island. The Government has shown courage and initiative in inviting
proposals from low cost airlines and we are delighted to have succeeded
with our plans for these three new routes. We believe this will reverse
the decline in Maltese tourism. As an island economy with over 20% of
its GNP dependant on tourism, low cost access is crucial and the Maltese
Government has taken the first tentative steps towards a major
breakthrough in this regard.
"Ryanair will carry over 200,000 passengers in the first year on these
three routes with over 110,000 passengers expected on the London Luton
routes, 47,000 each from Pisa and Dublin. We expect to carry over 85,000
tourists into the country bringing total revenue of in excess of EUR36m
in related spend, resulting in the creation of 300 new jobs directly and
indirectly at Malta International Airport. These passengers will save
over EUR20m as against the average fares charged by high fare airlines
to and from the island.
"Our fares will undercut those of the existing high fare operators by up
to 90% (net of taxes and charges) and we will immediately include all
these routes in our existing free seat sale in, which over 4 million
seats are made available for flying from October to March at zero fares
with the passengers having to pay just the taxes and charges".
ROUTE TIME OF FLIGHT START DATE
London Luton 2125 31st October 2006
Pisa 2105 31st October 2006
Dublin 1225 8th February 2007
TAX INCLUSIVE FARES
ROUTE RYANAIR HIGH FARE AIRLINE *
London Luton 30 68
Pisa 30 215
Dublin 30 112
* High fare airlines - London: BA - Gatwick, Pisa: Alitalia (via Rome), Dublin:
Air Malta
Ends. Thursday, 7th September 2006
For further information:
Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants
Tel: 00 353 1 8121228 Tel: 00 353 1 4980 300
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: 7 September, 2006
By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
James Callaghan
Company Secretary & Finance Director