Ryanair has launched 10 new French routes in its Winter 2018 schedule as it targets a wider expansion in the country.
The budget airline also confirmed it will “engage with social economic committees/unions” which it hopes will “pave the way for Ryanair to open bases in France, and deliver low fares, jobs and traffic growth”.
Amid threatened strike action, Ryanair opted to recognise unions for the first time before Christmas – but insisted they had committees for Ryanair pilots.
Ryanair’s new winter routes to/from France are:
• 4 from Paris Bva to Bratislava (2 x wkly), Malta (2), Prague (3) & Thessaloniki (2)
• 3 from Marseille to Bucharest (2 wkly), Budapest (2) & Faro (2)
• 2 from Nantes to London Stansted (4 wkly) & Seville (2)
• 1 from Bordeaux to Valencia (2 wkly)
The Irish airline says it has met with a number of French airports in Paris to discuss possible Ryanair bases around the country.
Ryanair urged the French government, which is considering the sale of the Aeroport de Paris monopoly, to sell Charles De Gaulle and Paris Orly airports to separate bidders in order to introduce “much needed” competition.
Chief commercial officer David O’Brien said: “We are pleased to announce 10 new routes for winter 2018 in Paris Beauvais, Marseille, Nantes and Bordeaux, which will go on sale next month.
“We are meeting with a number of airport partners, and this winter 2018 announcement marks the beginning of a larger Ryanair growth initiative in France, which may include aircraft bases. We look forward to new Ryanair low fare services to/from France, and to creating new jobs and traffic growth.
“We urge the government to sell Charles De Gaulle and Paris Orly airports to separate bidders, which will introduce much needed competition into Paris for the benefit of French citizens, visitors and workers.”