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 APRIL, 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- ________
AER LINGUS FUEL SURCHARGE
IS A EUR42M. RIP OFF SAYS RYANAIR
Ryanair - the only European airline to guarantee no fuel surcharges today,
tomorrow or ever - today called on Aer Lingus to reverse its planned surcharge
of EUR35 on long-haul flights from 15th May next.
Aer Lingus today claims that it cannot absorb these fuel price increases. This
claim is patently dishonest when Aer Lingus are absorbing these fuel price
increases on its short-haul business, which accounts for over 80% of Aer
Lingus's traffic. The travelling public must wonder why Aer Lingus is willing to
absorb these higher fuel costs in the case of 80% of its passengers who fly
short-haul, but decides to introduce an unjustified EUR35 fuel surcharge to
fleece the 1.2m passengers flying long-haul for an extra EUR42m a year.
The reason why Aer Lingus can't introduce fuel surcharges on its UK and European
routes is because Ryanair guarantees no fuel surcharges. Aer Lingus has far less
competition on long-haul routes, so it has decided instead to further gouge
those same passengers who are already paying Aer Lingus's highest air fares.
This is clearly unjustified, when at the very same time Aer Lingus is absorbing
higher oil prices in the case of short-haul tickets.
Highlighting this latest Aer Lingus rip-off, Ryanair's Chief Executive, Michael
O'Leary said:
"These fuel surcharges are just the latest EUR42m rip off from Aer
Lingus. They claim that they can't absorb these higher oil prices, yet
they are absorbing them in the case of the 5.8 million of their
passengers who are flying short-haul. Aer Lingus's long-haul passengers
are already paying their highest air fares, so there is no justification
for adding EUR42m in extra fuel surcharges on these long-haul passengers
either.
"Today's latest rip-off from Aer Lingus confirms yet again that they
only way Irish consumers can be sure of not paying fuel surcharges is to
book Ryanair today, tomorrow and forever, because only Ryanair
guarantees that there will be no fuel surcharges today, tomorrow or
ever".
Ends. Friday, 21st April 2006
For further information
please contact: Pauline McAlester Peter Sherrard
Murray Consultants Ryanair
Tel. +353-1-4980300 Tel. +353-1-8121212
www.ryanair.com
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: 21 April 2006
By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
James Callaghan
Company Secretary & Finance Director