Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Budget airline Ryanair is preparing to launch transatlantic flights for just €10 by buying cheap planes from struggling rivals. The plan will be revealed tomorrow as chief executive Michael O’Leary announces the company’s half year results.

“Economy class will be very cheap — around €10 euros. But our business class will be very expensive. There’s always 10-15 per cent who’ll pay whatever it costs for a wide seat,” he said.

The €10 flights — which could begin by the end of next year — would be available for those booking early.

Passengers would pay airport taxes on top of the fares.

Mr O’Leary is expected to announce plans to buy more than 50 aircraft as part of his vision to help Ryanair beat the recession.

“We’ll just have to keep flying more aircraft, opening up more routes and offering people more cheap flights,” he said.

The transatlantic flights are likely to go from Stansted and Dublin airports to New York, Florida, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Boston.