Ryanair: New merger 'mirrors' bid for Aer Lingus
Ryanair has today welcomed the announcement by IAG/Iberia that it intends to acquire Vueling, comparing it to its own bid for Aer Lingus.
The Irish airline said that the merger "mirrors the EU Commission’s Phase 1 approved merger of IAG/British Airways with British Midland (in the UK) in March 2012, Aegean’s recent takeover offer for Olympic in Greece" and Ryanair’s offer for Aer Lingus, which is currently being reviewed by the EU Competition Authorities".
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said: "As Europe’s flag carrier airlines continue to consolidate, Ryanair believes that its offer for Aer Lingus should be approved by the EU Competition Authorities if they follow – fairly – the precedent set in the BA/BMI merger and last week’s takeover of Vueling in Spain by BA/IAG.
"These are all inevitable steps in the consolidation process of Europe’s high fares former flag carrier airlines."
