SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of June, 2006
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office
Dublin Airport
County Dublin Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
RYANAIR CALLS ON EUROPEAN COMMISSION
TO EXPEDITE INVESTIGATION
AFTER FURTHER ABUSE OF PSO RULES IN ITALY
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Monday, 19th June 2006)
announced that it has written to the European Commission about the latest abuse
of the PSO rules in Italy. Ryanair contacted the Commission following the
announcement that Alitalia would be allowed to fly on a PSO route that it did
not even apply for in the first place!
When the Italian Civil Aviation Authority blocked Ryanair and Easyjet from
offering low fares, competition and choice to consumers between mainland Italy
and Sardinia in May, the European Commission launched an investigation into the
application of PSO rules in Italy. The PSO rules are being abused by the Italian
authorities to protect high fare Italian airlines and block low fares and
competition.
Speaking today, Peter Sherrard, Ryanair's Head of Communications said:
"We are calling on the European Commission to reach a speedy conclusion
to its investigation. Italian consumers are being forced to pay fares 4
times higher than last year to fly between mainland Italy and Sardinia
because the Italian authorities have systematically abused the PSO rules
to protect high fare Italian airlines and block low fares and
competition.
"Following the announcement that Alitalia will be allowed to fly on a
PSO route between mainland Italy and Sardinia that it did not even apply
for, Ryanair is asking the Commission to investigate the following
further abuses of the PSO rules:
1) Why has Alitalia been allowed to operate on a PSO route that it never
applied for?
2) Why did Meridiana suddenly offer Alitalia a codeshare agreement on its PSO
route after "mediation" by the Italian Ministry of Transport?
3) Why did AirOne and Meridiana agree to take on Alitalia's 100 Sardinian
employees after the President of the Sardinian region declared that their
jobs would be safe?
"Italian consumers should not be denied choice and forced to pay higher
fares because of the Italian Authorities' clumsy attempts to protect
high fare Italian airlines. We are therefore calling on the Commission
to take immediate action to end these abuses and allow competition and
low fares on the Sardinian routes".
Ends. Monday, 19th June 2006
For further information:
Peter Sherrard - Ryanair Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants
Tel: 00 353 1 812 1228 Tel: 00 353 1 4980 300
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
Date: 19 June 2006
By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
James Callaghan
Company Secretary & Finance Director