Ryanair 2004 Annual Report Download - page 21

Social
The group’s aim is that employees understand the group’s
strategy and are committed to Ryanair. The motivation and
commitment of our people is key to our performance. The
group’s policy is that training, career development and
promotion opportunities will be available to all people. The
group remains committed to being an equal opportunities
employer regardless of nationality, race, gender, marital
status, disability, age and religious or political belief. The
group selects personnel on the basis of merit and capability,
providing the most effective use of resources. During the
year 191 of our people were promoted internally within the
group.
The group re co g n i ses the importa n ce of effe c t i v e
communication with its people. Our quarterly newsletter
“The Limited Release” is distributed to all staff ensuring that
employees are kept up to-date on the plans, issues and
challenges facing our industry, and daily news bulletins are
a l so issued on our internal TV network. Our E m p l oye e
Representative Committee (“ERC’s”) for each department
and our European Works Council provide forum which ensure
all department re p rese n ta t i ves can consult on cu r re n t
issues. Our IT department has developed an Intranet site
which gives added value to our communication network.
In 1998 the group launched its employee share opt i o n
scheme. The first tranche of options became exercisable on
June 22, 2003 and 639 employees are entitled to exercise
options under the scheme. The group obtained revenue
approval on July 4, 2003 for the new 2003 group scheme
under which shares will become exercisable in 2008.
All staff benefit from extensive travel concessions in Ryanair
and discounted travel with other carriers.
Environmental
Aircraft Noise Regulations
Ryanair is subject to international, national and, in some
ca ses, local noise regulation sta n d a rd s. EU and Irish
regulations require that all aircraft operated by Ryanair
comply with Stage 3 noise requirements since April 1, 2002.
All of Rya n a i r ’s airc ra f t cu r rently comply with these
regulations. Certain airports in the U.K. (including London
(Stansted) and London Gatwick) and continental Europe have
established local noise restrictions, including limits on the
number of hourly or daily operations or the time of such
operations.
Group Facilities
Environmental controls are generally imposed under Irish law
through property planning legislation specifically the Local
Government (Planning and Development) Acts of 1963 to
1 9 9 9, the Planning and Development Act 2000 and
regulations made thereunder. At Dublin Airport, Ryanair
o p e ra tes on land co n t rolled by Aer Rianta. Planning
permission for its facilities has been granted in accordance
with both the zoning, and planning requirements of Dublin
Airport. There is also specific Irish environmental legislation
implementing applicable EU Dire c t i ves and Re g u l a t i o n s,
which Ryanairadheres to.
From time to time, noxious or potentially toxic substances
are held on a temporary basis within Ryanair’s engineering
facilities at Dublin Airport and Glasgow Prestwick. However,
at all times Rya n a i r’s sto rage and handling of these
s u bs t a n ces co m p l i e s with the re l evant re g u l a to r y
requirements. In our Glasgow Prestwick maintenance facility
all normal wa ste is re m oved under the Env iro n m e n ta l
Protection Act of 1996 and Duty of Care Waste Regulations.
For special waste removal, Ryanair operates under the
Special Waste Regulations 1998 (contaminated waste). At all
other fa c i l i t i e s Rya n a ir adheres to all local and EU
regulations.
Ryanair’s Policy on Noise and Emissions
Ryanair is committed to reducing emissions and noise and
has entered into a fleet replacement programme to replace
the Boeing 737-200 aircraft with Boeing 737-800 “next
generation” aircraft with less emissions, lower fuel burn,
greater seat density and quieter engines which significantly
reduce the impact on the environment. This replacement
programme will be completed by December 2005. Our future
g rowth plans p rovide for a fl e et comprising of
environmentally friendly Boeing 737-800 “next generation”
aircraft. The total value of the fleet replacement and
expansion programme commenced in 1999 is 7.75bn.
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