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 August, 2003
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 : 100,000 PASSENGERS ON PAU - LONDON ROUTE
ADDS EUR5.4 MILLION TO LOCAL ECONOMY
Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, today (26th August 2003) announced
that it will carry 100,000 passengers in it's first full year on its new Pau -
London route, providing an enormous tourism boost in Pau and the Bearn region,
which will add EUR5.4 Million to the local and regional economy and will create
100 jobs in the area.
Speaking in Pau today, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael O'Leary said:
"The Ryanair effect is already evident at Pau. This year we will carry 100,000
passengers, 80% of whom will be visitors to this region, boosting the local
economy, providing jobs as well as giving the people of the Bearn region low
fares access to London.
Ryanair currently flies 25 routes to/from France, and like all other airports in
Europe, Pau competed for Ryanair's business with 20 other airports, including
nearby Tarbes.
Ryanair chose to partner Pau because of its efficient facilities, low costs and
progressive management. It is not surprising that Mr. Denagiscarde, General
Manager of Tarbes Chamber of Commerce was not happy about it, as Tarbes also
submitted a similar low cost deal but was not selected. Mr. Denagiscarde called
Ryanair "dogs" and attacked Pau CCI, claiming Pau had paid considerable sums of
public money to Ryanair. This was untrue. He wrongly accused Pau of trying to
"kill" Tarbes airports traffic. This too is untrue. It is strange that Mr.
Denagiscarde would make such claims when he himself and Tarbes CCI, failed to
admit that Tarbes airport also offered Ryanair a marketing support package
similar to Pau.
Ryanair is working hard with Pau Airport to promote the Bearn region. We are
committed to delivering jobs and thousands of tourists to Pau, Bearn and indeed
the whole Pyrenees region (including Tarbes). Both we and our partners in Pau
are committed to giving Bearn visitors and consumers low fares access from
London without having to pay Air France's high fares and suffer the
inconvenience of connecting through Paris. The supporters of Pau Airport and
Bearn region should ignore the complaints of Mr. Denagiscarde and Tarbes CCI,
which are the understandable upset of a 'mauvais perdants'"
Ends 26th August 2003
For further information:
Paul Fitzsimmons - Ryanair Tarick Dali - DGM Conseil
Tel: 00 353 1 812 1228 Tel: 01 40 70 11 89
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: 26 August 2003
By:___/s/ Howard Millar____
H Millar
Company Secretary & Finance Director