Ryanair says would want control over Italian job

Irish budget airline Ryanair would seek a majority stake in Alitalia if it decides to invest in the lossmaking Italian airline, chief executive Michael O’leary said in a visit to Rome yesterday.

Alitalia filed in May to be put under special administration for the second time in less than a decade, starting a process that will lead to the airline being sold, overhauled or wound up.

“In case of an acquisition, we would be interested in a majority stake, not a minority one. We are not interested in a 49 per cent stake,” O’leary told a news conference.

Ryanair had already expressed an interest in Alitalia, but previously stressed wish to cooperate with the business rather than buy it.