Ryanair, which already owns 30% of rival Aer Lingus, is banking on the economic situation in Ireland to force the government to sell its shares. In an interview with a German newspaper, chief executive Michael O’Leary said Ryanair had twice failed to gain control of the airline due to government intervention.
"The government is broke now, it has to sell its holdings,” said O’Leary. “In the end, it will sell Aer Lingus as well.”
Ryanair is hoping to buy its rival soon so it can start expanding the airline as soon as possible to compete more effectively in Europe, specifically easyJet on its routes into Paris, O’Leary said.