Ryanair has announced the beginning of their operations in Romania with Arad - Milan/ Bergamo flights effective as of 1. April 2008. According to Northern Europe Manager Wilhelm Hamilton, the company estimates to have some 40,000 passengers per year on this route. "With this route, not only will Arad have the lowest prices to Milan, but will also benefit from an increase in the number of tourists, which will drive the development of the region," Hamilton added. Prices will start from 12.99 EUR including airport taxes. The flights will be operated on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
In turn, Dan Balacel, the manager of the Arad International Airport, said the airport had expressed interest in the route more than a year before. "The company has performed several audits regarding both existing equipment and our capacity to process new flights," he said. Ryanair is the largest low-cost airline in Europe, with 23 bases and 605 routes in 26 countries. As of March 2008, the company will operate 163 Boeing 737 aircraft and has placed a firm order for another 99 aircraft deliverable over five years. Ryanair has 5,000 employees and estimates to carry 50 million passengers in 2007.