Ryanair announces seven new routes from Bologna

Ryanair has announced that it will transfer seven routes from Forli to nearby Bologna from 27th October 2008 which will deliver 800,000 passengers to the airport annually.

In June 2010 Bologna will become Ryanair’s 30th European base with an initial investment of $140m in two aircraft, rising to five aircraft (a total investment of $350m), 25 routes, two million annual passengers, and 2,000 jobs by 2012.
The low fares airline also announced that it will open a base in Forli in March 2009 (the airline’s 29th), investing $70million in one aircraft which will deliver 400,000 passengers, to at least three and up to six new destinations and 400 local jobs.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary, today in Bologna said: “The growth of Ryanair’s low fares in Italy marks a major breakthrough for passengers who will now benefit from increased choice and the lowest airfares from Bologna to seven European destinations. This will release the region from the high airfares, fuel surcharges and frequent strikes of Alitalia and underlines our commitment to the Italian travelling public.

“Ryanair’s low fare routes are good news for business and tourism in Bologna as we will deliver 800,000 passengers each year. This traffic will initially create 800 local jobs, rising to over 2,000 in 2012. Ryanair will save these 2 million passengers over €208million, as Ryanair’s average fares are €102 cheaper than Alitalia’s.

“I congratulate the forward thinking executives at Bologna Airport who have secured the future of tourism in the area for many years to come and assure them of our support.

“To celebrate these new Bologna routes we are offering 25,000 seats for travel in October from just €10 (including taxes and charge). We urge passengers to book straight away as demand for fares this low will be huge.”

Giuseppina Gualtieri, Chairman of Bologna G. Marconi Airport said:

"Thanks to this agreement, the Airport will fill the existing gap of low cost flights offering and pave the way for future development, making a vital contribution to the region's economy and giving a real boost to the influx of tourists; Bologna's role as a European gateway has thus been consolidated.

"In March 2009 Ryanair will base an aircraft at Forli Airport concentrating on domestic routes. This will preserve the Ryanair passenger traffic at the airport at its current level of 400,000 and sustain the 400 jobs created as a result, while saving passengers over €40 million on Alitalia’s average fares".

Franco Rusticali, Chairman, Forli Airport, said

“I am very pleased with the announcement made by Ryanair to choose Forlì as its fourth base in Italy.”