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 September, 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 INVESTS $280M IN ITS BIGGEST EVER EXPANSION FROM BARCELONA
4 NEW AIRCRAFT AND 17 NEW ROUTES FROM MARCH 2007
Ryanair, Europe's largest low fares airline today (Thursday, 28th September
2006) announced its biggest ever expansion from Barcelona Girona. From March
2007, Ryanair will invest $280M in 4 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft and 17 new
routes that will deliver 1M additional passengers p.a. This expansion brings to
40 the number of Ryanair routes from Barcelona.
Destination Frequency Start date
Altenburg 3 x wk 1 Mar
Brescia 3 x wk 9 Mar
Fuerteventura 3 x wk 8 Mar
Gothenburg 3 x wk 27 Mar
Marrakech 3 x wk 27 Mar
Pescara 3 x wk 27 Mar
Teesside 3 x wk 12 Feb
Trapani 3 x wk 27 Mar
Aarhus 4 x wk 25 Mar
Bologna 4 x wk 9 Mar
Bristol 4 x wk 25 Mar
Faro 4 x wk 2 Mar
Malmo 4 x wk 25 Mar
Newcastle 4 x wk 25 Mar
Oslo 4 x wk 25 Mar
Tenerife 4 x wk 9 Mar
Porto 1 x daily 2 Mar
Announcing this expansion in Barcelona, Michael Cawley, Ryanair's Deputy CEO
said:
"Ryanair's Barcelona base has performed very strongly this summer and
has firmly established itself as an important driver of both tourism and
business in the region. Today's 17 new route announcements will allow
Catalan passengers to enjoy the lowest fares and best punctuality to
even more destinations. Ryanair now connects Barcelona to 40
destinations, delivering 4M passengers p.a. and sustaining 4,000 Catalan
jobs.
"As part of this expansion, Ryanair will also add a 3rd daily flight on
its routes to Paris, Milan and Rome which will increase to 1M passengers
per annum the number of passengers travelling from Barcelona with
Ryanair to these cities alone.
"Ryanair's 17 new routes will significantly expand the Catalan region's
catchment area and our low fares and no fuel surcharge guarantee will
deliver millions of additional visitors who were previously put off
coming to the region by the prohibitively high fares charged by Iberia.
"These new routes are available for booking today from just EUR10 on
www.ryanair.com and we advise passengers to book early as demand will be
very strong".
Mr. Manel Nadal, Secretary General for Transport of the Catalan region said:
"Ryanair's decision to add 4 aircraft and 17 routes to its base in
Girona is great news and will act as a powerful catalyst to drive
tourism and business in the whole area of influence covered by Girona
airport".
Ends. Thursday, 28th September 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: 28 September, 2006
By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
James Callaghan
Company Secretary & Finance Director