Ryanair to give away seats if we beat Germany

Ryanair has pledged to give away all seats on its 12 routes to airports in Germany on a nominated day if Ireland beat the Germans in the World Cup next month.

The no-frills carrier has been caught up in a tussle with Lufthansa since opening a base near Frankfurt last year.

Now, Ryanair has challenged Lufthansa to make a similar free seat gesture for the Frankfurt Main passengers ‘‘in the unlikely event of Germany beating Ireland’’.

The Ryanair offer will be spelled out to would-be passengers in German newspaper advertisements tomorrow.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said Ryanair would only fulfil the offer if Lufthansa matched their gesture.

Claiming that his company had already established its fares could not be beaten by Lufthansa, Mr O’Leary added: ‘‘I am also confident that the Germans can’t beat the Irish in the World Cup in June, so we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is - as long as Lufthansa will do the same.

‘‘After all, Lufthansa have little to lose - particularly since Ireland will beat Germany.’’