Prediction Irish low-cost airline Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary last week predicted fare-free airline travel within a decade and launched a blistering attack on European Union attempts to re-regulate the air transport industry. O’Leary used the keynote speech at the World Low Cost Airlines Congress in Amsterdam to deliver a broadside at the European Commission’s recent spate of regulations, including the introduction of rules governing passenger compensation for delays, which he claimed are designed to prop up national flag carriers. O’Leary also predicted a shift to free flights as a standard business model within 10 years. Airport operators would give airlines a cut of their retail revenues, as well as incidental revenues earned from direct baggage handling charges, onboard catering, shopping and crucially, as-yet unavailable gambling services, he said.
Source: Flight International
