Airhumberside, you can not start new routes and open new bases without a/c and Ryanair can not change how soon it gets them nice new a/c from boeing any sooner. So thats why it needs to buy another airline to play catch up, also is skyeurope does go tits up, it will be a nice cheap airline to buy as an on going concern from its creditors. Plus is will open up new routes into east european markets which Ryanair so far have not really tapped into.
p.s. i agree with you colegate, its time for change, and those with the huge cash funds will ride it out and become even stronger after it. However im totally sure about Jet2, yes the dart group does have a few issues, but how would the airline be intergrated into the likes of easyJet and Ryanair, brake the company into bits, cargo. . . ? I dont see Ryanair playing postman for Royal Mail or anyone come to that, only cargo it every carries is its own (base-base)
Lee