Aer Lingus raps calls for monopoly

AER LINGUS seems to have found an unlikely ally in its attempt to ward off Ryanair’s advances in the guise of the low-fares airline’s founder and former chairman, Tony Ryan.

Dr Ryan opined on RTÉ Radio at the weekend, that a Ryanair acquisition of Aer Lingus would lead to a monopoly and said: “This monopoly, if it happens, will be driving fares down.”

Aer Lingus said: “Dr Ryan’s view that a combination of the two airlines would indeed be a monopoly accords with our own. It is difficult to see how a monopoly of this nature can ever be in the best interests of the Irish travelling public or for inward visitors.”