Ryanair Eyes Slots IAG May Hand Over As Remedies In Air Europa Purchase - Report

By Dave Simpson
Ryanair Eyes Slots IAG May Hand Over As Remedies In Air Europa Purchase - Report

Ryanair is keen to buy the slots International Consolidated Airlines Group may be forced to dispose to get its planned acquisition of Air Europa approved by the European antitrust regulator, Cinco Dias newspaper reported on Monday 12 June.

Details

"We are following the process because we are interested in the possible liberation of slots in different airports," Elena Cabrera, Ryanair's country communications manager for Spain, told the newspaper.

"We are interested in slots in Canary and Balearic Islands and in Madrid, but the truth is that we are open to any opportunity as we are in growth phase in Spain," she added.

Ryanair's press office confirmed the comments.

Additional Information

In February, IAG, the owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways and Iberia, agreed to buy the remaining 80% in Spanish carrier Air Europa it did not already own for €400 million. The deal still needs anti-trust clearance by the European Commission.

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Ryanair Settles US Shareholder Lawsuit Over Unionisation Comments

The above news follows news from last week that Ryanair Holdings Plc and longtime chief executive Michael O'Leary reached a $5 million settlement of a lawsuit accusing them of defrauding shareholders by downplaying the willingness of the Europe's largest budget airline to recognise labour unions.

The preliminary all-cash settlement was reached after mediation, and was filed on Wednesday 7 June in the US District Court in Manhattan. It requires a judge's approval, and Ryanair denied wrongdoing.

Read More: Ryanair Settles US Shareholder Lawsuit Over Unionisation Comments

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