Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary today (Monday, 5th October 2009) confirmed that there was ‘no substance’ to reports which appeared on FT.com claiming that Ryanair could take control to Aer Lingus through a Rights Issue.

“Our position on Aer Lingus was recently confirmed at the Ryanair AGM, which is that we are “highly unlikely” to make a third offer.  Aer Lingus would now be profitable, growing and creating new jobs if the Irish Government had accepted either of Ryanair’s two previous offers instead of which sadly Aer Lingus is suffering record losses and will shortly announce a huge redundancy programme as it continues to be mismanaged and controlled by its Government and trade union appointed Board”, said Mr O’Leary.