Aviation

Michael O’Leary: ‘Growth opportunities’ for Ryanair from Lufthansa buying stake in Italy’s ITA Airways

German airline to spend €325m buying 41 per cent of the successor to failed flagship Alitalia from the Italian state

Michael O’Leary, chief executive, Ryanair, said he expects traffic for the airline in Italy to grow least 10 per cent this year to over 60 million passengers. Picture: Getty

Ryanair will emerge as a winner from rival Deutsche Lufthansa’s €325 million investment in Italy’s ITA Airways, Michael O’Leary has said, as more slots come up for grabs to secure regulatory approval.

“We support Lufthansa buying ITA,” the Ryanair chief said in an interview in Rome on Tuesday. “It will create more growth opportunities for Ryanair in Italy.”

Under the deal, the German airline would initially buy 41 per cent of the successor to failed ...