Yes. Kind of looks like a giant spot! Not great but I suppose it gets the low fares message across. Mind you all I seem to hear about is complaints about EI esp. service, I think a lot of their regular intra-europe travellers were very dissapointed when they adopted the low-cost model.

Mark

Hi there Interflug,

You present a very interesting and no doubt knowledgeable view on the debate. I have read many similar types of posts on this topic on other forums, but I am slightly confused by exactly what you mean when you talk about how FR is affecting the long term viability of the industry. Could you explain (or anyone else who holds a similar view) what it is you believe FR is doing? Do you mean in terms of service standards dropping, if so I am unsure how this will affect the industry long term.

Cheers

Mark

OK, all this chat is very well but I really think it comes down to price. It is all very well saying how much of a bad company ethically they maybe, and that may be true. But the cheapest return flight I could get to barcelona for next week on BA was £307.00, on Ryanair it is £64. I don’t have the sort of wedge (and I don’t believe many people do) that could justify flying BA over FR at these prices. Hence their growth, hence their success. I think its great.

Mark

You can say what you will about FR, with most of it I agree, but they are so so so cheap. I just think you have to alter your expectations in line with the price you pay.

Also, they will enter a fares war, and they will most likely win. They have massive cash reserves, which I presume they think will be enough too see them through.

Re: Matthew Murray’s comments, I would define success as 200m Euros profit 2003 with 1bn cash balance.

Ryanair have enabled me to fly to places I never would have been able to visit in the ‘old days’. Long may it contine, more power to ‘im.

Mark

Great pictures WD always such a joy to view your postings

I was there last week and I saw that one. Also saw (although it was from a distance) an ex-KOrean Air 747 as well as a couple of exEAL aircraft, although not confirmed as I wasn’t close enough

I expect FR will keep this attitude for a while yet. Its what they are famous for. Their fares are incredible. Saying that, soon as I stop being a poor student and start having some money I will stop flying FR!!!