Aer Lingus ‘won’t survive’ downturn

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary says he should be allowed to buy Irish rival Aer Lingus as the smaller airline won’t survive a downturn in the aviation industry.

European aviation will be dominated by five carriers within five year and Aer Lingus will eventually be acquired British Airways, Air France-KLM or Deutsche Lufthansa AG, O’Leary told a parliamentary committee in Dublin.

Ryanair’s bid for Aer Lingus in 2006 was blocked by EU antitrust regulators.

“Who do you want to own Aer Lingus, someone in Frankfurt, London or Paris? Or you can have it owned by someone who lives locally,” O’Leary said.

Retaining Irish ownership is vital, he said.