Ryanair is having to face competition from not only other low-cost airlines but also from the railway, at least in France. Ryanair is locked in a battle for passengers with TGV of France, which is the largest and most successful high-speed railway system in Europe.
Ryanair is trying to break into the French domestic market which is dominated by Air France. Come May and Ryanair will start inexpensive flights from Beauvais airport, 50 miles north-west of Paris, to Marseilles. The company also has plans to tap into the German domestic market with operations between Frankfurt and Berlin.
Yet, its plans about succeeding in the European market may come a cropper if it fails against the united front offered by TGV and Air France. In fact, the TGV seems to be having a bumper year, in a recent revelation the SNCF has mentioned that it made a profit of €1bn and will be paying its shareholders, the French tax paying public, a handsome dividend of €130mn.
TGV runs a network of high-speed trains that can touch 200mph and a section of older lines that run the “slow†trains which touch 100 mph. Ryanair is trying to avoid a direct competition with SNCF-owned TGV on the Paris to Marseilles route. It is looking to cater to customers who will come to Beauvais from Normandy and the north of France.
Ryanair will start the flights from 2nd May with four flights a week to and from Marignane airport, west of Marseilles and eventually raise it to return flights every day. The average price will be in the range of €25 to €30 with a maximum price of €250, inclusive of taxes. The train ticket for a one-way journey between Paris and Marseilles is  €104.90.
The train journey between Paris and Marseille takes three hours to cover the 500 miles. The distance can be covered by air in a little over an hour.