Mannion predicts Ryanair bid will fail

The megaphone dialogue between Aer Lingus and Ryanair on the future of the former state airline continues apace. Speaking on the 'This Week' radio program on RTE Radio 1 on Sunday, Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion predicted that the Ryanair bid for his airline would fail. He said that the airline is not for sale and there was unity between the board, management and staff at the airline on the issue. He also predicted that he would remain as chief executive of the company for the foreseeable future. Mr Mannion also said that the future of long haul services out of Shannon had been secured and that the airline was reviewing the Shannon - Heathrow route. The decision on this has probably already been made since the Aer Lingus website is only offering three flights per day (out of four available slots) each way between Belfast and Heathrow next summer. Meanwhile... Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport on Thursday morning to explain how Ryanair will maintain competition in the marketplace and to discuss the impact on regional airports and airlines in the event of Ryanair taking over Aer Lingus. "The committee sees regional airports and the need for regional airlines such as Aer Arann to continue as critically important and a key component in the successful implementation of Government regional policy,” chairman of the committee, Frank Fahey, said. “While there was much opposition to Ryanair’s previous attempt to take over Aer Lingus, it is important that the proposal should be carefully considered and both parties are given the opportunity to present their respective cases. This meeting will afford members of the committee the opportunity to examine the Ryanair bid in detail.” And... Denis O'Brien, ESAT Telecom founder and owner of Caribbean cell phone operator Digicel has cast his hat in the ring. The Sunday Independent newspaper reports that Mr. O'Brien told a meeting of NCB Wealth Management that he does not want to see the two airlines under one owner, not only because of the monopoly implications but also because he is not a fan of the Ryanair method of operation. But should dislike of a management style really be grounds for blocking what may make economic sense ? Mr. O'Brien is no stranger to boardroom ego battles having rubbed the O'Reilly family up the wrong way in his recent attempt to gain control of Independent News and Media. He also involved himself in the first failed Ryanair attempt to buy Aer Lingus by building up a 2.5% shareholding in the former state carrier.