Air France slams Ryanair

The battle continues between Air France and Ryanair as the French carrier has slammed a statement issued by Ryanair. Air France says the Ryanair statement, issued last week and entitled ‘Air France favours high fares. Not competition’, “has no bearing on reality”. It starts by responding to Ryanair’s comments that Air France charges 780 euros for a return ticket between Strasbourg and London. The carrier says its lowest fare is infact just under 100 euros return including tax. It says the figure quoted by Ryanair is the highest unrestricted fare. Air France added: “Calling this a ‘swindle’ is kin to libel.” The French carrier also said that Ryanair’s claims that it is “the most subsidised airline in Europe” are incorrect. The carrier says it has received no subsidies from the state since its recapitalization in 1994. Air France throws the accusation back to Ryanair by saying that Ryanair “extracts” subsidies from various airport authorities. It said: “The fact that Ryanair raises these questions is proof that it is putting up a smokescreen designed to mask its own anti-competitive practices, namely obtaining illegal public subsidies, both in Strasbourg and elsewhere.” Air France chairman, Jean-Cyril Spinetta said he is replying to Michael O?Leary in writing on these points and a number of others raised by the Ryanair statement.