Aer Lingus CEO: We will capitalise on Ryanair woes

CHIEF executive of Aer Lingus Stephen Kavanagh has warned Ryanair that anything that damages it is good for his business – and he has vowed to capitalise.

Mr Kavanagh said that Aer Lingus flights are heavily booked at the moment, so the opportunity from Ryanair’s current problems isn’t significant.

However, he indicated that these difficulties will soon provide opportunities.

“In the longer term, I think you can see a very competitive business and anything that damages Ryanair is ultimately good for Aer Lingus,” he said as the carrier’s owner IAG issued results for the second quarter of the year.

He said the airline would capitalise by being disciplined, taking costs out of its business and being competitive.

“Any disruption is regrettable,” he said.

“If that disruption continues, hopefully we’ll be in a position to offer a competitive alternative. But we’re not seeing significant upside at this point in time, simply because the capacity we have simply having been sold.”

Meanwhile, Norwegian Air said it plans to hire an extra 40 pilots for its Dublin base as it adds more transatlantic flights.

The carrier’s recruitment drive comes amid the pilot strikes at competitor Ryanair.