Ryanair says London needs 3 new runways

LONDON (Reuters) - Europe's largest budget airline, Ryanair (RYA.I: Quote, Profile, Research), said on Friday that London needed a minimum of three new runways in the next five years.

"A minimum of three in the next five years...at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted," Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said at a news conference.

Ryanair has opposed a new runway at Stansted, but this is because it feels the 4-billion-pound project is too expensive.

Ryanair said earlier it was releasing 2.7 million seats for travel through September, October and November for 10 pounds one way.