Ryanair planning to open 20 new routes in Italy next year

[White Cap]

Source: unison.ie/irish_independent

RYANAIR, the most successful budghet airline in Europe, is planning to open 20 new routes in Italy next year, chief executive Michael O'Leary said yesterday.

He told a news conference in Rome that Ryanair is committed to expansion in the Italian market and may "open up probably two more bases in Italy in the next two or three years".

The airline already uses three 'hub' airports in Italy to station aircraft and personnel and flies to 21 destinations.

Mr O'Leary said most of the new routes will be to international destinations.

Ryanair, which already has domestic Italian flights and flights between Ireland and Italy, carried 11.5m passengers last quarter, up 21pc from a year earlier.

Ryanair shares jumped to a record on November 6 as the Dublin-based carrier announced a two-for-one stock split.

Ryanair said second-quarter net income rose 24pc to €213.4m ($273.7m) from €172.5m a year earlier. JIM AUGHNEY