Ryanair is to cut its fares by up to 20 per cent to keep winter passengers flying.
"Ryanair guarantees the lowest fares and no fuel surcharge, and will not be beaten on price," an official spokesman for the low-cost airline told The Times Business.
Asked what Maltese travellers should expect from Ryanair, the spokesman said: "This winter we have vowed to further decrease our low fare by up to 20 per cent. We will continue to keep passengers travelling this winter by offering them the lowest fare available."
In the Budget 2009, the government allocated funding for new low-cost routes and higher load factors on current flights. An international call has been made for routes to Leeds, Newcastle and Bristol.
The spokesman would not be drawn into whether the airline has expressed interest, but said: "Ryanair is always looking for opportunities to grow and to deliver its guaranteed lowest fares and no fuel surcharge to even more passengers on even more routes.
"Ryanair has delivered low-cost fares to Malta that have enabled more and more Maltese passengers to travel without having to pay the high fare of Air Malta. We will continue to examine all opportunities and will grow our traffic when the time is right."
She confirmed that the airline was "delighted" with its growth in Malta: "We are confident that the removal of the unfair departure tax will open up more opportunity for passengers and for Ryanair."
Presiding over the presentation of Ryanair's half-yearly results earlier this month, chief executive Michael O'Leary said the global recession would continue to drive down oil prices and air fares over the coming season. He said his airline would "continue to respond with lower fares and aggressive price promotions" to entice passengers onto an ever-growing fleet.
Mr O'Leary believes average fares would be cut in the second half of the financial year to March by 15 to 20 per cent.
Half-year pre-tax profits have dropped 77 per cent from €459.5 million to €105.2 million. Excluding write-downs on its 29% stake in Aer Lingus and aircraft depreciation, pre-tax profits were halved to €224.5 million.
Europe's largest low-cost airline has held several sales on seats to fill capacity on its growing fleet of aircraft, many of which the company acquired at advantageous prices after the September 11, 2001 attacks strangled the aviation industry.
Ryanair seized the opportunity during the crisis seven years ago and rushed to increase market share by slashing fares. Analysts say the airline will cash in on this recession in a similar fashion, as other airlines go out of business or are taken over. Mr O'Leary aims to make Ryanair Europe's biggest short-haul carrier in four years - its passenger numbers only trail those of Air-France-KLM and Lufthansa.
He even has plans for a new, separate low-fare long-haul airline to service the North Atlantic, as prices of new wide-bodied aircraft needed for the operation fall.
The eccentric chief executive could be forgiven for feeling smug yet again. After the books took a hit for his refusal to hedge Ryanair's fuel requirements (except for 80 per cent of fuel for the current quarter at $124 a barrel), Mr O'Leary says the group's earnings would "rebound strongly" next year if prices buoyed around $80 a barrel. This week oil was going for around €50.
"Ryanair guarantees the lowest fares and no fuel surcharge, and will not be beaten on price," an official spokesman for the low-cost airline told The Times Business.
Asked what Maltese travellers should expect from Ryanair, the spokesman said: "This winter we have vowed to further decrease our low fare by up to 20 per cent. We will continue to keep passengers travelling this winter by offering them the lowest fare available."
In the Budget 2009, the government allocated funding for new low-cost routes and higher load factors on current flights. An international call has been made for routes to Leeds, Newcastle and Bristol.
The spokesman would not be drawn into whether the airline has expressed interest, but said: "Ryanair is always looking for opportunities to grow and to deliver its guaranteed lowest fares and no fuel surcharge to even more passengers on even more routes.
"Ryanair has delivered low-cost fares to Malta that have enabled more and more Maltese passengers to travel without having to pay the high fare of Air Malta. We will continue to examine all opportunities and will grow our traffic when the time is right."
She confirmed that the airline was "delighted" with its growth in Malta: "We are confident that the removal of the unfair departure tax will open up more opportunity for passengers and for Ryanair."
Presiding over the presentation of Ryanair's half-yearly results earlier this month, chief executive Michael O'Leary said the global recession would continue to drive down oil prices and air fares over the coming season. He said his airline would "continue to respond with lower fares and aggressive price promotions" to entice passengers onto an ever-growing fleet.
Mr O'Leary believes average fares would be cut in the second half of the financial year to March by 15 to 20 per cent.
Half-year pre-tax profits have dropped 77 per cent from €459.5 million to €105.2 million. Excluding write-downs on its 29% stake in Aer Lingus and aircraft depreciation, pre-tax profits were halved to €224.5 million.
Europe's largest low-cost airline has held several sales on seats to fill capacity on its growing fleet of aircraft, many of which the company acquired at advantageous prices after the September 11, 2001 attacks strangled the aviation industry.
Ryanair seized the opportunity during the crisis seven years ago and rushed to increase market share by slashing fares. Analysts say the airline will cash in on this recession in a similar fashion, as other airlines go out of business or are taken over. Mr O'Leary aims to make Ryanair Europe's biggest short-haul carrier in four years - its passenger numbers only trail those of Air-France-KLM and Lufthansa.
He even has plans for a new, separate low-fare long-haul airline to service the North Atlantic, as prices of new wide-bodied aircraft needed for the operation fall.
The eccentric chief executive could be forgiven for feeling smug yet again. After the books took a hit for his refusal to hedge Ryanair's fuel requirements (except for 80 per cent of fuel for the current quarter at $124 a barrel), Mr O'Leary says the group's earnings would "rebound strongly" next year if prices buoyed around $80 a barrel. This week oil was going for around €50.