Ryanair brings forward start of some Frankfurt routes

LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair is bringing forward the start of several new routes from Frankfurt following high demand for tickets, it said on Tuesday, stepping up pressure on Lufthansa (Xetra: LHAB.DE - news) .

* Ryanair said it would now start 17 routes to cities including London, Manchester, Milan and Athens at the start of September, rather than at the end of October.

* Airport (Shanghai: 600463.SS - news) operator Fraport (IOB: 0O1R.IL - news) last year signed up Ryanair for routes from Frankfurt, hoping to drive passenger growth but unleashing a row with Lufthansa, Fraport's biggest customer, over incentives for new routes.

* Lufthansa and Fraport are in talks over fees, the two said last week. (Reporting by Victoria Bryan; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)