Ryanair claiming ‘favourite airline’ status
Ryanair has wasted no time in placing its bid to take British Airways’ slot in the FTSE 100.
BA was ejected from the FTSE 100 index on Wednesday, when it was valued 111th by market capitalisation; just half a penny short of 110th position, the break point for the FTSE 100. In a move that the national newspapers have called cheeky and cocky, Ryanair has stepped into the fray and applied for BA’s slot, despite being ineligible for the index.
It said in a statement: “Ryanair’s application is rooted in the belief that there should be at least one representative of the airline industry in the FTSE 100 index”. Ryanair claims to be the second largest airline in Europe by market capital, currently at £2,742 million.
The carrier has also muscled-in on BA’s “World’s Favourite Airline” slogan, saying “Since Ryanair is now Britain’s favourite airline, out-carrying BA by two to one on routes where they compete, it is clear that Ryanair by market capitalisation should be admitted to the FTSE 100 index to replace BA”.
Ryanair’s financial director, Howard Millar said: “We intend to replace BA as the largest carrier of passengers to and from Britain and become the largest passenger airline in Europe”.
However, FT.com reported that the FTSE Group has not received an application from Ryanair, and in any case the Irish carrier could not join the index because it is listed in Dublin. So, it appears that Ryanair cheif Michael O’Leary, never the shrinking violet, is keen to rub BA’s nose in it.
On the other side of the world, Japan’s national carrier, Japan Airlines, is in danger of being delisted from the US Nasdaq as a result of its merger with Japan Air System, due to complete next month. FT.com reported that the carrier could be ejected because it will lose a special provision that exempts it from rules obliging Nasdaq-listed companies to report in line with US standards.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026