Madam, - The European Commission is due shortly to publish the results of its investigation into Ryanair's commercial arrangements at Charleroi airport outside Brussels. If the Commission rules against Ryanair this would be a very sad day for the future of low-cost travel in the EU.
The Commission should be asking one simple question: what do the consumers of Europe want? The answer is that they want low-cost travel. The Commission for years tolerated airline monopolies all over Europe ripping off passengers at every turn.
The Ryanair case at Charleroi is a wake-up call for the Commission. It will demonstrate to the citizens of Europe whether its officials are living in ivory towers with no understanding of their wishes and desires. Public airports should be competing with private airports for more business. More competition means lower prices for consumers. - Yours, etc.,
GERARD COLLINS, MEP, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick.