While waiting for the European Competition Commission, led by Margrethe Vestager, to give the definitive green light to the marriage between the German aviation group Lufthansa and the flag carrier ITA Airways, the management of the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has made it known that he will not oppose obstacles to the privatization of the Italian company.

"You cannot give ITA to Lufthansa without the transfer to other carriers of the airport slots at Milan-Linate, Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino. And the transfer serves to increase competition". "But there must be control over any monopolies" that the operations may create "and the European antitrust must monitor this", stressed the CEO of the low-cost company, Michael O'Leary, interviewed by the Italian newspaper "il Corriere della Sera".

In short, according to the manager, in the end the ITA-Lufthansa marriage will take place. "I am strongly in favor of the consolidation of European skies if this frees governments from managing airlines. ITA Airways will certainly be managed better by Lufthansa than by the Executive", concludes Ryanair CEO. On remember that European air carriers can express an opinion before the competition commission gives the green light.

On the topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.