BA acquisition of Aer Lingus aimed at acquiring Heathrow slots: Ryanair

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary stated any plans from British Airways to purchase Aer Lingus would be aimed at acquiring more London Heathrow Airport slots (TribuneNews, 03-Oct-2010). Mr O'Leary also warned "nobody else" can takeover the carrier without Ryanair's approval, but stated he would have no trouble working with BA CEO Willie Walsh if BA were to acquire a stake.

Ryanair: "If the government is willing to consider an offer from Willie Walsh, it has to ask itself what does it deliver for Ireland. The answer is higher fares … it will also just take Aer Lingus's Heathrow slots. This would be the case if any overseas airline were to buy Aer Lingus. We've been quite clear on this: the future of Aer Lingus is as a low-fares airline," Michael O'Leary, CEO. Source: TribuneNews, 03-Oct-2010.