Ryanair chief executive Howard Millar has predicted tough times ahead for many airlines due to the current economic climate. Millar believes that UK airlines British Airways and Easyjet, Air France, the Dutch airline – KLM, Lufthansa and of course Ryanair will be the ones to survive.
Millar went on to say that he expects many airlines to be absorbed by bigger competitors with the recent news that Lufthansa intend to purchase Brussels Airlines and Austrian Airlines and the recent decision by British Airways to merge with Iberia. Alitalia are also believed to be currently seeking investment.
These recent events may prove to be bad news for consumers who will have fewer flights to choose from as well as less competition for cheap deals. There may also be considerable job losses as the current economic recession tightens its grip.