Ryanair
welcomed announcement by Aegean Airlines that it
intends to acquire former Greek flag carrier Olympic Air, subject to
EU Competition Clearance.
This
merger of the 2 Greek airlines mirrors the EU Commission’s recently
approved merger of British Airways and British Midland (in the UK)
earlier in 2012, and Ryanair’s more recent offer for Aer Lingus,
which is currently being reviewed by the EU Competition Authorities.
Ryanair’s
Stephen McNamara said
“The
merger of Aegean and Olympic is another logical merger of two EU
airlines operating in the same market and mirrors this year’s
British Airways takeover of BMI, in the UK, and Ryanair’s current
offer for Aer Lingus in Ireland.
As
Europe’s airlines continue to consolidate Ryanair believes that its
offer for Aer Lingus will be approved by the EU Competition
Authorities if they follow the precedent set in the BA/BMI merger and
this merger between Aegean and Olympic in Greece is another
inevitable step in the consolidation process of Europe’s smaller,
former flag carrier, airlines.”