Ryanair boss says Swissair collapse will benefit consumers

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary says the collapse of Swissair will benefit consumers.

He argues that carrriers such as BA have had a policy of "flying smaller airplanes, carrying fewer passengers and charging them higher fares".

Mr O'Leary suggests the major airlines will now have to rethink their policies.

He said: "Carriers like BA, Sabena and Aer Lingus have been far too long ripping off European consumers. And I think Swissair is good news for the consumers."

Mr O'Leary says Ryanair will survive the crisis in the aviation industry and ensure its viability over the long-term.

He points out that Ryanair's traffic has increased, while BA has maintained its fares.

Last week easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou claimed the European airline market would only be able to operate if between three and six of the old state-owned airline companies departed from the market in the next half-year.

Apart from Swissair, he pinpointed Aer Lingus, Sabena Belgian World Airlines, TAP Portugal, Greece's Olympic Airways and "maybe KLM" of Holland as the companies that might drop out of the market due to insolvency.