Air Berlin interested in Ryanair slots at Alicante

Air Berlin has expressed interest in expanding its operations at Alicante El Altet Airport (Typically Spanish, 08-Apr-2011). Accordingly the Partido Popular President of the provincial Diputación Government in Alicante, José Joaquín Ripoll, stated that if Ryanair wants to withdraw from some routes from El Altet Airport, the "hole" would be filled by other airlines. Ryanair has threatened that it would cancel up to 80% of services to Alicante Airport.