Ryanair chief executive Mr Michael O'Leary said yesterday he was "becoming less and less interested" in investing in Ireland. In a theme frequently returned to at the announcement of the firm's new European hub at Frankfurt, Hahn, airport, Mr O'Leary said Germany's gain was once again Ireland's loss.
"This is the fourth year in a row that Aer Rianta's high costs and abject facilities have forced Ryanair to grow outside of Ireland - first in Stansted, then Glasgow, last year Brussels and this year in Frankfurt Hahn," he said.
Mr O'Leary said Ryanair had offered the Government a deal to launch six routes from Dublin and create new jobs in return for lower landing fees and a new terminal.
Ryanair has offered to fund and construct the terminal itself at a cost of £13 million (€16.51 million). However, its deadline for a response fell last week, he said.
"At a time when Irish tourism is facing collapse next year, the failure of the Aer Rianta monopoly to provide efficient facilities and lower prices is a national disgrace."
Mr O'Leary dismissed the statement by Aer Rianta on Wednesday that plans to grow tourism in the wake of September 11th would be at the expense of regional airports here. The statement was in response to State proposals to reduce landing charges and develop a terminal for low-cost airlines.
He said no other airline has come up with a plan to help make up for loss of air traffic and tourism in light of September 11th.
Mr O'Leary said other countries have responded to the growth of low-cost airlines, and acknowledged the Government was working on the problem - but questioned its approach.
"My problem with the Irish Government is that you're writing out to a monopoly asking it to respond to a suggestion that it break up a monopoly. What sort of a response do you expect? It's a government, it should lead."
Mr Michael Cawley, Ryanair's chief financial officer and commercial director, said Oslo and Pisa were contenders for selection as Ryanair's next hub. Plans may be announced next month. Despite Mr O'Leary's criticism of the Government, he said he would vote for it in next year's general election. "One incompetent minister shouldn't alter what has been a very successful government."
