BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov. 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Responding to Michael O'Leary's threat to withdraw from Belgium if the EC decision goes against Ryanair, Virgin Express (Euronext Brussels: VIRE; OTCBB: VIRGY), Belgium's low fare carrier, revealed today that it plans to take Ryanair's place at Charleroi Airport if Ryanair abandons its Belgian base.
"We will not allow Belgian consumers to lose out or be blackmailed into paying a taxpayer's subsidy," said Neil Burrows, Managing Director of Virgin Express. "We already serve a host of destinations and would be happy to serve others at fares that people can afford -- and we don't need illegal subsidy to do it! We could start a service within weeks if we are asked provided that a competitive but legal contract were proposed by the airport authority."
Copyright Prline Benelux