Dustin the turkey, biliously mulling over the vicissitudes of life as a flightless species, is attributed to have once raised the inexplicable question, "how come when I fly Ryanair I always loose me luggage?". Surely a scandalous slur on an airline which is fast moving up the slipstream of Aer Lingus to challenge for position as the de facto national carrier. Ryanair, despite being buffeted by a pay dispute, a bookings' boycott by some travel agents and a degree of public criticism on service standards, continues to rake in the cash by offering competitive fares, wider route choices and a pragmatic approach to air travel. The company claims that by early next year it might overtake Aer Lingus on passenger numbers.
This week Ryanair produced financial returns covering the six months to end September showing pre-tax profits £6.2 million higher at £12.4 million. Passenger numbers grew 28 per cent to 2 million, generating sharply improved turnover of £97 million. Four new services are planned for next year, and the airline is understood to be talking to some 60 airports in Europe about new destinations.
As to financial fundamentals, the airline has no excess baggage. With substantial cash reserves and no debt it boasts one of the strongest balance sheets in the business, with plenty of available cash to part-fund the proposed purchase of 20 new aircraft for delivery in 1999. All very impressive. But it has to be said that Ryanair management, understandably smug when crowing about its successes, are strangely silent over alleged shortcomings with the loquacious turkey's suitcases.
