Why has Ryanair been in trouble recently over its flights to Denmark

Asks Kathryn

A. It has recently been reported in the national press that Ryanair has got itself into hot water over its advertised flights to Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of 2001.

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This is because the flights actually arrived in Malmo, Sweden, which is approximately a 45 minute drive from Copenhagen - and once passengers arrive from the UK in Malmo they have to make the remainder of their journey by coach to Copenhagen. Holiday Which magazine has reported Ryanair to the Advertising Standards Authority - the ASA (on 12 March 2002) claiming that its adverts for the flights were misleading.

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Q. Did Ryanair forget to mention Malmo in its advertising

A. Apparently it is mentioned in their small print, but the ASA believes it has a strong case because Malmo is not an airport designated to serve Copenhagen by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

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Q. Does Ryanair near and not directly to any other destinations

A. Its flights to Bologna, Italy arrive in Forli, 38 miles away from Bologna and not at Bologna airport - three miles out of the city centre. Similarly, the IATA does not designate Forli as serving Bologna.

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In addition, its flights to Glasgow arrive at Prestwick (28 miles from Glasgow) and not Glasgow airport and its flights to Venice use Treviso airport (20 miles from Venice) - but both of these airports are approved by the IATA to serve these cities.

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Q. How does Ryanair keep its flight prices so cheap

A. Ryanair tickets are among the cheapest available in the UK and the airline keeps its tickets cheap by keeping all of its costs down. It does this is many ways, some of them include the following:

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(a) it is a ticketless airline so all you need to fly is your passport or similar photo ID to prove you are the person in whose name the seat is booked and a confirmation number - which you are given when placing your booking online or by phone. If you do not have both of these at check-in you will not be able to board the plane.

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(b) You cannot change any reservation - name or route changes and refunds are not permitted on any reservation. However, you can change the dates and times of your flight but you will be charged an administration fee of �15 per person for doing so, plus the difference in price between the original fare paid and the lowest available fare for the new booking at the time. If the available fare is lower on the new flight, no refund will be made.

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(c) It offers a no frills service which means that it does not include any complimentary meals, beverages or alcoholic drinks during its flights - but snacks and drinks can be purchased from its bar on the plane.

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(d) It does not offer transfers for passengers or their baggage if they are making an onward connection with another carrier.

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(e) Restricted luggage - Ryanair permits 15Kg of checked-in luggage and one small piece of hand luggage (under 7Kg)

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(f) Its cheapest fares are available for passengers travelling off-peak and who book at least 14 days in advance. Tickets bought over the Internet are cheaper than those bought through its call centre.

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You can contact Ryanair online at http://www.ryanair.com or telephone one of the following numbers:

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Flight Information Numbers:

UK Flight Information: 0905 102 0500 (�1.00 per minute)

Irish Flight Information: 1570 920 200 (€1.27 per minute)

Direct Booking Line:

UK 0870 1 569 569

Ireland 0818 30 30 30

Internet Helpdesk:

UK 0905 566 0000 (�1.00 per minute)

Ireland 1570 22 44 99 (€1.27 per minute)

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Q. How long has Ryanair been providing cheap flights

A. It launched in 1985 with a small 15-seat aircraft providing cheap flights between Waterford airport (SE Ireland) and London Gatwick.

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Q. What destinations does Ryanair fly to

A. Ryanair is now the UK’s second largest airline, with a total network of over 45 routes across 11 countries served with a fleet of 31 aircraft and 1,400 people. It will carry an average 7 million passengers a year. It only flies to destinations in Europe and these include the following:

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Austria: Graz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg

Belgium: Brussels (Charleroi)

Denmark: Aarhus, Copenhagen, Esbjerg,

France: Biarritz, Carcassonne (Toulouse), Dinard, Montpellier, Nimes, Paris (Beauvais), Perpignan, St. Etienne (Lyon)

Germany: Frankfurt (Hahn), Friedrichshafen, Hamburg (L�beck),

Holland: Eindhoven

Ireland: Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Knock, Shannon

Italy: Alghero, Ancona, Brescia, Bologna (Forli), Genoa, Milan (Bergamo), Pescara, Pisa, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Venice

Norway: Oslo (Torp)

Sweden: Gothenburg, Malmo, Stockholm (Skavsta), Stockholm (Vasteras)

UK: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Derry, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds (Bradford), Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Newquay, Teeside.

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By Karen Anderson