Ryanair: Aer Rianta abusing car-park monopoly

Low fares airline Ryanair has claimed that Aer Rianta is trying to prevent car-park competition around Dublin Airport.

The company said that the airport authority had objected to the Royal College of Surgeon's application to build a car-park on its sports grounds near Dublin Airport in Santry, Co Dublin, in what is termed the 'Red Zone'.

Ryanair maintains that Aer Rianta objected to the planning application so that it can develop its own properties within the zone.

The company also claims that it is 15 months since the Government received 13 expressions of interest in building a second terminal at Dublin airport and just three months since it said legislation would be passed before Christmas to break up Aer Rianta.

In a statement issued today, the company said: "When will the Government stop talking about competition and start doing something about it.

"How long more do we have to wait for Bertie Ahern's Government to put the needs of consumers - competition and lower fares - ahead of semi-state airport monopolies," the statement added.

Ryanair called on the Government to proceed with the break-up of Aer Rianta as a matter of urgency.