Ryanair's O'Leary eyes Stansted takeover
(Source : Daily Telegraph , August 07, 2008)
Michael O'Leary is interested in launching a GBP2b bid for Stansted airport and proving to BAA and the regulators that he can run it much better than they can. He said acquiring Stansted was one of his two main ambitions before he bows out as CE of Ryanair - the other being the purchase of Aer Lingus. O'Leary said he was convinced the Competition Commission's investigation into Stansted owner BAA would recommend breaking up the airports operator. 'We'd be in like a bandit,' O'Leary said. Stansted is the carrier's biggest base from where it is flying 43 aircraft this summer - though Ryanair plans to ground 15 of them during the winter in protest at what O'Leary sees as rapacious landing fees when airlines are already reeling from the high oil price.
