Ryanair goes on the attack – Brussels Airlines and Alitalia in its sights with new bases

Ryanair has launched two new bases this week with Rome-FCO and Brussels Airport joining the ranks of Ryanairports.

The Rome-Fiumcino base is a direct hit against Alitalia, operating the following routes

Commencing 18th December 2013
Rome Fiumcino – Catania
Rome Fiumcino – Palermo

Commencing 19th December 2013
Rome Fiumcino – Lamezia Terme

Commencing 27th February 2014
Rome Fiumcino – Brussels Zaventem (BRU)

Commencing 31st March 2014
Rome Fiumcino – Barcelona BCN

The route list above is simply a target list by Ryanair to try and get Alitalia to fold whilst it can. Expect more of an attack soon from Ryanair on that front, especially as 6 aircraft will be based there by April 2014, with a target of 12 by the end of 2014.

Meanwhile, Ryanair’s eyes are also looking at the other side of Brussels – Brussels Zaventem (or what some of us call Brussels National Airport). Ryanair currently operates out of the more distant Brussels South Charleroi (29 miles from Brussels City Centre compared to a shorter 7 miles away from Zaventem).

Whilst Ryanair isn’t giving up its base at Charleroi, it is going after the business customer (as well as EasyJet and other airlines… including Brussels Airlines and Alitaila… and anyone else it seems).

The new routes that are due to start are:

From 27th February 2014
Brussels BRU – Alicante
Brussels BRU – Barcelona-BCN
Brussels BRU – Lisbon
Brussels BRU – Malaga
Brussels BRU – Palma Mallorca
Brussels BRU – Porto
Brussels BRU – Rome-FCO
Brussels BRU – Valencia
Brussels BRU – Venice Treviso

From 01st July 2014 until 31st August 2014

Brussels-BRU – Ibiza

Ryanair will base 4 aircraft at Brussels-BRU.

The target for these new routes is simple: Business travellers. With Ryanair, EasyJet, WizzAir, Vueing scrapping over the low-cost lesiure flyer and finding up that market is drying up, they’re going after the business traveller (with Ryanair trying to be more friendly than it has been in the past).

The hope is that these new friendly initiatives turn into customers, and in turn – become revenue.

The Brussels National base will be interesting to watch – whilst it has higher fees than Brussels Charleroi, if it attracts the trade Ryanair wants (along with the revenue), who knows… more flights may switch over.

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