Budget airlines show signs of strain

EASYJET'S troubles reflect wider problems in the budget airline industry. Most customers of companies such as Ryanair, easyJet and buzz have come to expect delays, wayward baggage and bad service as part and parcel of a bargain holiday flight.

Delays at their two main airports - Luton and Stansted - are also the worst of all UK airports, exacerbated by shortages in air traffic controllers and by increased security checks. Ryanair's customer service department - consisting of five staff - says only one in 1,000 passengers complains. But with one million passengers a month, that is 1,000 complaints a month.

In a move announced today, however, the Irish firm said it hoped to increase capacity and offer up to five new European routes by relocating its main UK base to Scotland. The plan to build a £10m aircraft maintenance workshop at Glasgow's Prestwick Airport - boosted by a £2m grant from regional development agencies - is seen as a snub to the company's home base of Dublin.

The airline intends to use the facility for the upkeep of 150 Boeing 737-800 aircraft that it has ordered for delivery in the next eight years.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary, who has often criticised Dublin airport operator Aer Rianta for inadequate facilities, said: 'This is much more than just a maintenance facility. It puts Glasgow Prestwick Airport at the very heart of Ryanair's operation and guarantees that it will continue to enjoy new routes as we open up new bases.'

He said Ryanair hoped to add routes to Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Scandinavia in the next five years, putting up to 4m passengers through Prestwick each year.