Michael O’Leary proves he’s still good for laughs September 25, 2014 RYANAIR has the best shareholder meetings. Despite Michael O’Leary’s decision to “step out of the public spotlight”, he’s still good for quips when he gets in front of a crowd. Yesterday’s meeting in Dublin was no different. Tesco was first to get it in the goolies. When speaking about chief marketing officer Kenny Jacobs, O’Leary [...]
Listen to Peter Thiel: Politicians must embrace the fact there’s no money left September 25, 2014 MORE must cost less. In his new book Zero to One, entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel observes that the dream of globalisation – expanding the affluent consumption habits of the western middle class to more and more of the world – demands we also commit to radical technological innovation in order to reduce that lifestyle’s [...]
Ryanair share price climbs as it raises its traffic forecast September 25, 2014 It's the Ryanair Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, so expect plenty of outspoken soundbites from chief executive Michael O'Leary. Until then, investors will have to make do with a statement issued by the airline this morning, saying it expects "slightly stronger traffic growth in the winter schedule" – 87 million passengers by the end [...]
Cheaper houses, more expensive holidays: Five of the most important changes to the UK if Scotland votes for independence September 16, 2014 With the Scottish independence referendum just two days away, a question on many people's minds is what will happen to their finances if Scotland does decide to leave. Here are some of the ways in which those left in Britain will feel the effects. House price fall Online estate agency Emoov has [...]
Car review: The new Audi TT feels more like a top-end VW than a thrusting sports car September 16, 2014 What’s your take on the Audi TT? A brilliant interpretation of Bauhaus design language? An unusually attainable, good looking sports car? Or so commonplace it barely even registers? The original TT was something special. No car manufacturer had built such a bold interpretation of the coupe away from a motor show concept. And no one [...]
Ryanair says better customer service has increased passenger numbers September 10, 2014 Ryanair has said improvements to customer service- which was largely non-existent before boss Michael O’Leary’s change of heart about his no-frills approach- has increased the number of passengers per flight by at least six compared to last year. The budget airlines chief finance man Howard Millar said better customer service and the way it sold [...]
Ryanair orders up to 200 planes worth huge $22bn from Boeing September 8, 2014 IRISH budget airline Ryanair has made a deal with massive US aerospace company Boeing for up to 200 of its 737 Max planes, in a deal that could be worth up to $22bn (£13.7bn) in total. The deal will see Ryanair commit to buy 100 of the new 737 Max 200 series, valued at $11bn [...]
Ryanair share price climbs as $10bn deal for 100 Boeing planes nears September 7, 2014 Ryanair isn’t keeping costs low when it comes to buying planes. The budget airline is said to be close to finalising a potential $10bn (£6bn) deal with Boeing for around 100 of its new 737 Max jetliners. Shares closed 0.75 per cent higher on Friday and a significant fleet announcement is due from both companies [...]
EasyJet reports record numbers during August September 4, 2014 BUDGET airline EasyJet yesterday reported it had flown a record number of passengers in August, with 6.6m travellers on its aircraft – 8.4 per cent more than the same month last year. EasyJet’s load factor — how full the company’s planes are — was at more than 94 per cent, another record for the airline [...]
Easyjet passenger numbers rise despite crisis in Ukraine September 4, 2014 Sanctions and conflicts are causing problems for the airline industry – and with some areas off limits, investors were watching to see how EasyJet's latest passenger figures would stand up. Very nicely indeed, it turns out. In a statement posted this morning, the airline said passenger numbers rose 510,731 on the same month last year, [...]