Ryanair’s big rivals opt out of lobby

RYANAIR has failed to persuade its main competitors to join its planned lobby group for European low-cost airlines.

Rivals Easyjet, the British Midland-owned BMIbaby, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Express have opted out of the new European Low Fares Airline Association.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary called for an alliance of no-frills airlines earlier this month. He said existing lobby groups were dominated by higher-fare carriers and did not speak for airlines like Ryanair.