Ryanair brings stranded XL passengers home

ynot2005

Ryanair, Europe's leading low fares airline, today (12th September 2008), in response to their request, offered the CAA the use of one of its aircraft for the next two weeks in order to secure the return of stranded holidaymakers abandoned by the closure of bankrupt airline XL Airways. Ryanair is using one of its spare 737-800 aircraft to help the authorities in the UK and Ireland provide services for outgoing and returning passengers who have booked with the now defunct airline.
Commenting on the collapse of yet another bankrupt airline, Michael Cawley, Ryanair's Deputy Chief Executive, said:
"This is proof positive that passengers should not book their holidays with flaky, financially stretched airlines such as XL. Passengers should only book reservations with financially strong airlines such as Ryanair whom they know will be here for the long term. We are pleased to be able to rescue these passengers and facilitate the CAA in their efforts to repatriate them. We strongly advise passengers to be more discerning when they book their holidays and look first at the financial position of the airline with which they book".

Engadine

If Ryanair have spare aircraft why did they have to cancel all the flights from Edinburgh this week? They can't blame it on Boeing when they are sitting with spare aircraft that could have operated these flights.

jo1967

Pleased to hear that - mum & dad stuck in Greece at the moment! At least they got their holiday - sister due to fly out on holiday on thursday, not yet been sorted. She is hoping to get another flight.

bagand96

Ryanair's press releases are always good fun to read. Indeed no planes to start from Edinburgh, but can find one to "help" rescue XL passengers. The point here is that the CAA will be paying Ryanair to operate rescue flights, and that many airlines will be involved, some much more so than Ryanair.

jetboy

Ryanair have plenty of spare aircraft. Probably more than they know what to do with. The EDI 'delay' has nothing to do with airframe availability..just more Ryan nonsense. Much as I applaud them bringing home the stranded, they will be getting paid through the nose for it by the CAA. Standby for another nauseating PR event by O'leary.

Engadine

I know the Edinburgh delay is more Ryanair nonsense but they do provide some entertainment with what they have to say about things.

It is good they are helping to bring home stranded people but as already says they will be making money from the CAA for doing it. Shame they couldn't be so helpful to their passengers who had booked from EDI!

O'Leary hasn't said anything yet but their deputy chief executive has

Michael Cawley, Ryanairs deputy chief executive, said: This is proof positive that passengers should not book their holidays with flaky, financially stretched airlines such as XL.

Tozer

In other words, Ryanair dry lease one of their redundant aircraft into a revenue generating role. Priceless.

boombap

I saw the interview the CEO guy from Ryanair gave on Sky News today and couldn't believe his comments - is the guy unaare of the bad press his company gets? Someone should tell him the story of the pot and the kettle!

geoffky

ryanair and easyjet will be around a lot longer than all the rest...they are very cash positive

tiff

Bet they still charged for checked in baggage!

BLACKHURSTM

All airlines charge for baggage,whether built in to the price or as a seperate item.
When will some people on this forum get there heads round the fact that it is the end/total price that counts not the brakdown of charges.
We are all here to save money,it appears that some people would rather pay more,because it included in the price than pay a cheaper price because the method of breaking down the cost annoys them.
get a grip.
total cost is what we need to focus on.
I am happy with all my 6 ryanair flights so far this year 4 of them less than £35 including all charges.
I for one am not going to fly with example firstchoice for£100 because they are not charging for baggage.
Ryanirs structure makes perfect sense for those who only need to carry on hand luggage.they save ryanair money by not having to pay airport handling fees for these passengers,and reduces turnaround time.