16/10/2008

Ryanair Call For OFT Investigation Into Fuel Price Rises

Budget airline Ryanair has called on the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to launch a probe into the rise in aviation fuel prices at Belfast City and Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Ryanair said Air BP, which has a "complete monopoly" on the fuel at the airport, has not explained price rises over ten times the rate of inflation.

Jim Callaghan, Ryanair's Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs said: "Air BP has a complete monopoly on the supply of aviation fuel at these airports and is abusing this position to unilaterally impose over 50% cost increases (over 10 times the rate of inflation).

"This abuse comes at a time when BP and the other oil majors are making billion pound profits at the expense of the aviation industry, which is currently in crisis."

Air BP said prices are agreed by mutual negotiation and "must reflect current market and cost environments".

Ryanair said it has repeatedly written Air BP asking for an explanation for the price rises but claimed Air BP had "refused to provide any valid justification".

The fuel provider said it was confident that it had not breached any competition laws and was surprised by Ryanair's decision to contact the OFT.

(GK/JM)

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