Ryanair in talks with airports over US moves

RYANAIR is continuing talks with airports in the US with the view to establishing a transatlantic service from Europe.

The airline has had talks with airports in Baltimore, Hartland in Connecticut and Niagara.

Ryanair’s deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley, said that despite talks taking place the establishment of a long-haul service is “not a priority” for Ryanair, but the budget airline has previously said it is anxious to operate international services for as little as €10.

The talks with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) took place at Dublin Airport earlier in the year and looked at the possibility of services between Niagara Falls Airport and Ireland.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said he is looking for planes to operate transatlantic services.

He said the transatlantic service would be run by a separate company to Ryanair, though he is likely to take a big interest in it.

The new carrier would need between 50 to 60 long-haul planes, which would be based at up to10 European airports, including Dublin and London.

Southwest Airlines, the American pioneer of no-frills travel, has also signalled its intention to start flying to Europe from the US.

The opportunity to launch low-cost fares across the Atlantic has been made possible by the “open skies” agreement, which has lifted the restrictions on where airlines can fly.

Ryanair is expanding outside its traditionally central European basis and last week announced the launch of flights to the Canary Islands.