Ryanair calls on Govt to explain rejection of Aer Lingus offer

Ryanair today called on the Department of Transport to explain why it rejected Ryanair’s December 2008 offer for Aer Lingus.

The comments follow yesterday's announcement by Aer Lingus of the axeing of over 670 jobs as part of a cost-cutting plan aimed at saving €97m.

Ryanair said today that its 2008 offer for Aer Lingus guaranteed to double Aer Lingus’ short-haul fleet from 30 to over 60 aircraft and create 1,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers over a five-year period, while at the same time "reducing Aer Lingus’ fares, removing its fuel surcharges, securing its brand, Heathrow slots and connectivity".

"Ryanair’s offer would also have provided Aer Lingus with a strong financial partner, at a time when all other airlines across Europe are collapsing or consolidating," the carrier said in a statement.

“Since they rejected Ryanair’s second offer for Aer Lingus last January, the Irish Government and the trade unions have controlled the Board of Aer Lingus and have spectacularly mismanaged it.," said Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary.

O'Leary said the Department of Transport should now explain to Aer Lingus shareholders, and the 670 Aer Lingus workers who are facing redundancy, why they rejected the Ryanair offer.