Ryanair not on course for move to Baldonnel

Ryanair has distanced itself from plans to develop Baldonnel military aerodrome in Co Dublin as a second civilian airport. The airline says that it would prefer the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport to a new large-scale airport at Baldonnel.

Ryanair's founder Dr Tony Ryan has advocated the development of a civilian airport at Baldonnel since 1995. However, the chief executive of the airline, Mr Michael O'Leary, is of the view that it is "important that the Ryan family's plans for Baldonnel do not cloud the debate" on Ryanair's proposals for a second terminal at Dublin Airport.

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, is to propose to Cabinet that a large proportion of the State lands at Baldonnel should be sold to fund the modernisation of the Defence Forces.

Mr Smith has said that his preferred option for the land would be an independent commercial enterprise run separately from the Air Corps.

The Government is expected to decide next month whether the airport should cater for light aircraft or for large-scale commercial traffic.

Dr Tony Ryan, whose family are substantial minority shareholders in Ryanair, told The Irish Times yesterday that he views the Minister for Defence's statements on the future of Baldonnel as "a very positive development". He added: "It reflects what I have been saying for some time. Congratulations to the Government on their initiative."

In a letter to national newspapers earlier this year, Mr O'Leary stated that Ryanair had "no plans, no interest and no intention of moving to Baldonnel".

He wrote: "We understand that the Ryan family has plans to develop Baldonnel, but this would involve its usage for private/executive aircraft and smaller charter operations . . . However, Ryanair (which is neither owned nor controlled by the Ryan family) has submitted its own growth proposals to the Government, which involve the development of a second and competing terminal at Dublin Airport."

The letter concluded that it was "important that the Ryan family's plans for Baldonnel do not cloud this debate . . . Baldonnel is not and does not form any part of Ryanair's growth plans".

Ryanair says it would open 10 new low-fare routes from Ireland to continental Europe if a privately owned terminal was developed at Dublin Airport.

It says the new routes would generate at least one million additional passengers to and from Ireland each year within three years. The route expansion would "create a minimum of 500 well-paid jobs".

Ryanair says its founder's plan to develop part of Baldonnel for executive jets and small charter operators is still "worthy of Government support" because it "would help the Department of Defence to fund and develop Baldonnel".