Euro ban hits Flybe plans (From Daily Echo)

Euro ban hits Flybe plans

2:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

SOUTHAMPTON airport’s biggest airline, Flybe, has been barred from operating routes that would have been transferred over from a rival.

The European Commission has banned Ryanair’s third attempt to takeover Irish airline Aer Lingus in which it already has a 30 per cent share.

Flybe, which flies to and from Southampton, has said it is “disappointed by the commission’s announcement and remains firmly of the view that the proposed remedy – whereby Ryanair would transfer a number of aircraft and operating routes to Flybe – would have afforded credible competition, including new jobs and bases in Ireland.”

In its ruling, the commission said the merger would have harmed consumers, reduced choice and led to increased prices for passengers travelling in and out of Ireland.