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 March 2009
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 AER LINGUS TO APOLOGISE FOR MISLEADING SHAREHOLDERS AND THE
STOCK EXCHANGE ABOUT ITS LOSSES IN 2008 AND AGAIN IN 2009
Ryanair,
Ireland's favourite airline today (
Wednesday,
11
th
M
arch
2009
) called on Aer Lingus Chairman Colm Barrington to apologise for misleading Aer
Lingus shareholders and the Stock Exchange in its 22 Dec
ember
Defence Document - published just 9 days before the year end - in which Aer
Lingus made the following claims - which have now been proven
to be untrue
by the
enormous
losses announced this morning by Aer Lingus for 2008 and again in 2009.
In Aer Lingus's 22 Dec
ember
Defence Document - published just 10 weeks ago,
Aer Lingus Chairman Colm Barrington made the following false claims:
-
"
Despite these extremely challenging conditions we expect to achieve
profit overall in 2008"
.
This morning Aer Lingus announced an after tax loss of €108m for 2008,
clearly proving that Aer Lingus misled shareholders and the Stock Exchange in
its Defence Document.
2.
"We expect that significantly reduced fuel prices and a number of management
cost reduction initiatives will enable Aer Lingus to continue to enhance
profitability in 2009
and beyond".
In this morning's results Aer Lingus confirmed that
"In 2009 Aer Lingus will experience a larger operating loss than in 2008 and the
Group is unlikely to meet its previous guidance of a pre
-
tax profit in 2009".
This morning's results confirm that Aer Lingus misled its shareholders and
the Stock Exchange about its claims to
"enhance profitability in 2009"
.
3.
"Aer Lingus is and will be profitable".
This morning's confirmed losses in 2008 and larger operating losses in 2009 proves
that these claims - made just 10 weeks ago - were false.
4.
"Our long-haul business also continues to grow".
Aer Lingus
' recent traffic figures which show a consistent reduction in monthly long-haul
traffic of over 10% proves this Defence Document claim was also false.
Ryanair called today on Aer Lingus Chairman Colm Barrington and its Board to
explain to shareholders why they continue to preside over an enormous collapse in
shareholder value and why they recommended rejection of Ryanair's €1.40 per
share offer just 10 weeks ago, at a time when they were presiding over enormous
losses in 2008, increased op
er
ating losses in 2009, and a share price which has collapsed by more than 50% from
€1.40 to less than 70 cents today.
Speaking today Ryanair's M
ichael O'Leary s
aid:
"Today's results from Aer Lingus prove conclusively that the Chairman
Colm Barrington
, Board and Man
a
gement of Aer Lingus misled shareholders and the
Stock Exchange in their Defence Document of just 10 weeks ago. Shareholders are
entitled to ask why there is no mention in today's results about restoring or
improving shareholder value.
It would appear that the Board and Management of Aer Lingus care more about
lining their own pockets with excessive and unjustified Director fees and multi
million euro resignation bonuses for failed management than they do about growing
Aer Lingus, delivering profitability or shareholder value.
"
Irish taxpayers are entitled to
ask the Department of Transport
why they rejected Ryanair's €1.40 offer and claimed that "T
he €1.40 offer for Ryanair greatly undervalues Aer Lingus
", when just ten weeks later the taxpayer investment in Aer Lingus has collapsed
by more than 50%. What does this say about the Department of Transport's financial
judgement
?
"
We intend to submit formal complain
t
s to the
London and
Irish
Stock Exchange, the Takeover Panel and the
Financial Services Regulator
about the patently false claims and misleading advice given by Aer Lingus to
shareholders in its 22 December Defence Document.
"
Consumers can celebrate Aer Lingus's continuing losses and failure as Ryanair
this morning released 10
8
,000 free seats - 1,000 seats for every €1m after tax losses announced by
Aer Lingus this morning - for travel in March and returning in the first week of
April. These will be the last free flights on Ryanair from Ireland before the
Government introduces its crazy €10 tourist tax in Ireland
".
ENDS.
Wednesday, 11
th
March 2009
Stephen McNamara
Pauline
McAlester
Ryanair Ltd
Murray
Consultants
Tel: +353-1-8121212
Tel. +353-1-4980300
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.
Date: 11 March, 2009
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By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
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James Callaghan
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Company Secretary & Finance Director
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