Ryanair has accused Aer Lingus of being a "faded brand with no independent future" in light of its recent tie-up with Virgin.
It spoke out after yesterday’s announcement that Virgin Atlantic is to use Aer Lingus planes and staff, branded as Virgin, to operate flights between Heathrow and Scotland (see earlier story).
Ryanair said the "wet lease" deal was simply another example of Aer Lingus’ commercial failure.
It pointed to a similar deal with United Airlines which began in March 2010 but was ended after 30 months.
Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said: "In 2010 Aer Lingus was promising that the United Airlines wet lease "partnership" would be the way forward, yet two years later United abruptly cancelled the deal and returned the aircraft to Aer Lingus. Instead, United have now entered the Washington-Dublin route, which Aer Lingus previously withdrew from.
"What happens in a year or two years’ time if Virgin Atlantic wants to cancel the deal and Aer Lingus is left with four aircraft with nothing to do, but has 1 million fewer core passengers?
"If, as Aer Lingus claims, their brand and commercial strategy is working, then why are they spray painting four aircraft in Virgin colours and renting them out, rather than running more routes to/from Ireland for the "Grabbing" in 2013?"
by Bev Fearis
