Ryanair could offer free flights in five years' time

Ryanair could introduce free flights in the next five to 10 years.

Speaking at the Airport Operators Association conference on Monday, airline boss Michael O'Leary said the he was looking to cut out fares to boost passenger numbers.

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The company is looking to carry 200m passengers a year by 2024.

Mr O'Leary said he wanted to share revenues from retail outlets with airports instead.

According to the Standard, he said: "I have this vision that in the next five to ten years that the air fares on Ryanair will be free, in which case the flights will be full and we will be making our money out of sharing the airport revenues.

The Guardian reports that he continued: "I think it will happen. It just won't happen at Heathrow or those big hub airports. But most of the other airports who are looking for big traffic growth, that process is already starting to happen, lowering airport fees and some of the charges."

"If [air passenger duty] is gone: at many airports I'm paying more than £20 [per passenger] already with APD and fees, if I start getting that back, why not? I'm doing seat sales this week at £4 and I'm paying the £13 APD – I'm paying you to fly with me.

"Instead of promotional tickets being £9 or £5 they will be free."