Ryanair to slash winter services

RYANAIR is shedding almost two-thirds of its capacity at Shannon this winter and cutting flights at Cork by 17% and by 15% at Dublin.

The airline is also planning to hang on to its near 30% stake in Aer Lingus, adding that the Government will likely ask it to rescue the airline eventually.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said unless somebody comes along and makes a “very generous offer” for the Aer Lingus shares, “we have every intention of holding on to them”.