Ryanair wants more slots in Spain, but regrets that Iberia is blocking its way
Irish low-cost airline Ryanair remains interested in expanding its investments in Spain with the acquisition of more slots (take-off and landing permits) at Madrid and Barcelona airports, CEO Michael O’Leary confirmed Friday.
“We are very interested in slots in Barcelona and Madrid. But IAG is very interested that we have no more slots in Barcelona or Madrid,” the executive explained at a meeting with the media in Dublin.
→ Ryanair launches summer 2024 schedule with more than 40 million seats for Spain
According to O’Leary, the Spanish-British group IAG – parent company of Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Level – is designing an operation, which he described as a “remedial package”, whereby it will give those slots to “Volaris and other airlines”.
“Then in a couple of years Volaris will buy Volaris and get the slots back. So yes, we are looking for more takeoff and landing permits in Madrid and Barcelona, but I don’t think we will get them,” the executive lamented.
Ryanair, Europe’s leading low-cost carrier, had previously indicated that Iberia’s acquisition of Air Europa, still in process, should result in the freeing up of slots at some airports, so that other airlines would put more capacity in Spain and not take it to other competing countries.
With information from EFE
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