Ryanair is one of the first European low-cost carriers en belongs to the LCC original type. Ryanair belongs to the largest low-cost carriers in Europe. The network of Ryanair was till 1996, with a couple of exceptions, restricted to England (figure 49). The network existed of two integrated star patterns with a central airport in England and a central airport in Ireland (point A). After 1996 it started expanding to the rest of Europe. In 1998 it expanded all the way to tourist destinations in Spain and Italy, and Norway and Sweden (point B).
| Figure 49, Network development Ryanair, LCC original type | |
| 1996 | 1998 |
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| Source: OAG (2005), click image to enlarge | |
While the network expanded further into Europe, the more regional network in Great Britain stayed in place. The airports in figure 50 marked with a C where upgraded to a more central role in the network, which gave Ryanair a potential stronger position in the surrounding area. The network can also expand further through these central airports. In September 2005 new routes where created towards Spain (point D) and to East Europe (point E).
| Figure 50, Network development Ryanair, LCC original type | |
| 2003-02 | 2005-09 |
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| Source: OAG (2005), click image to enlarge | |