Ryanair in talks to launch service to nine more Spanish airports

MADRID (AFP) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is in talks to begin flights to an additional nine airports in Spain.
Ryanair already operates flights to eight airports in Spain, and soon will begin service to three others.
Ryanair chairman Michael O'Leary told the El Pais newspaper that the budget carrier was eyeing about 80 new airports in total in Europe, including six in Italy and 17 in Germany, as part of its expansion programme. He did not provide further detail.
"There is in fact a long queue of airports which are after our flights," O'Leary said Friday.
In Spain, Ryanair is due to begin flights to Zaragoza from December 1, to Almeria from January 19 and to Seville in February, according to the newspaper.
Iberia, the leading Spanish carrier, announced in mid-October that it may file a complaint against Ryanair at the European Commission on grounds that it has received illegal aid from regional governments in Spain.

11/05/2004 - 12:09 GMT - AFP