Ryanair plans for long-haul flights on hold

RYANAIR’S chief financial officer has said plans for the airline to operate long-haul flights is on hold for the moment but it could use a takeover of Aer Lingus for such an expansion.

Echoing comments by the airline’s chief executive Michael O’Leary last week, Howard Millar said the likelihood of Ryanair taking over Aer Lingus was significantly increased considering what is going on in Europe.

Ryanair is unlikely to table a fresh bid for Aer Lingus until the European Court of First Instance returns its verdict on Ryanair’s appeal of the blocking of its original €1.48 billion bid, which could come any time in the next 12 months.