Ryanair presses case for ‘one strong Irish airline group’ with Aer Lingus

RYANAIR made yet another argument for its proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus – following the merger of British Airways and Iberia.

It said that it believes that the future of Aer Lingus can only be secured as part of “one strong Irish airline group led by Ryanair”, which it said is capable of not just competing with Air France, BA and Lufthansa but of beating them.

Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said: “The Irish Government has no policy, no vision and no clue when it comes to Aer Lingus. The airline continues to lose money and cash, as it continues to be mismanaged by its Government and trade union shareholders, who control the board and management of the airline. Now Aer Lingus is isolated and being bypassed by the trend of European airline consolidation.”