19% and rising!!
 

Ryanair said this evening that it had increased its stake in the airline to 19.2% after buying another 16.5 million shares today.

Yea 19.8 % or something like that...

My mate just rang me to tell me.

In fairness as much as i hate to see whats happening i think MOL is a genius.

Oh im still in shock will all this :eek:

I was looking at the RTE coverage of this mornings press confrence. MOL was dressed up, and his tone and use of language were totally different to what we usually see. I honestly think that this could be more than a stunt. I reckon hes willing to pay 3.00-3.20 for the company, which I think is roughly 1.5 billion?

To be honest its a cheap way to buy one of the most respected brands in aviation, and a shoe-in for the american market, cant US domestic routes could be operated under the open-skies? Even EIs cost base looks seriously low compared to the US carriers. I think MOL is playing a seriously strategic game here, long-haul is definately a key part of that. EI is definately a better brand to launch long haul with than FR, and even outside Europe and the US, EI is reasonably well known.

Threre are defiantely challenges though, fleet and staff being the major two. I think that the staff will be OK, as there will be so much expansion that effencies will be brought in by not expanding the head count to the same degree, increased flexability etc. Twill be an AF/KL style thing. Two airlines, two missions, two fleets. MOL will be the proud parent, breathing down the knecks of his two children, demanding they out-perform each-other and everyone else in the class!

FR
 

Sue the British Gov over airport security issues. Buy Aer Lingus. O`Leary`s a genius when it comes to free advertising. We`ll see if these things EVER happen !

plus RYA has close relationship with Southwestern
(MOL and Dr Ryan visited Herb Kelliher in the 80s when they were looking at that biz model to transfer to EU)
They could join for an EU/US grouping
Then add in a mideast outfit to cover the group to Asia / Oz
All they'd then be missing is a pacific unit

For me is too late to annunce a MAD base now (5 of october) and start flight 1st of november.

Actually, WN has gone on record criticising FR for its customer service record; WN may be a low cost carrier, but it has a good quality of customer service (certainly better than most of the majors); can't see WN wanting anything to do with FR.

Nor can I see a situation where EI and FR continue to compete with each other on those 17 routes; it's just inefficient use of a lot of expensive assets; why skimp with minor things like non-reclining seats and not having ice, when you allow that kind of inefficiency to continue; I think the two will work together to make best use of their assets.

Also, what of the consequences if FR is pushed out; he has a shed-load of 738s on order: what's to stop him saying : "right, we'll do this the hard way: I'm basing 10-15 more 738s in DUB and I'm going to target more of EI's routes, head on, matching new routes one for one and I'm going to start low cost t/a". In other words, if he chose to, he could make life very hard for EI.

Can't help wondering what size shareholding FR will have tomorow morning!?

Think if I was working for EI, I would be looking for a large BlackBush tonight, ooer mother. . . .seems like the only way to get a good night's sleep.Sweet dreams guys.

Did anyone else see the piece on the takeover on the BBC news? "He" was sitting next to a tshirt that was derogatory to his staff. Unless it was him who couldn't spell.

Heads he wins, tails he wins.
EITHER his alleged take-over plans work (and he gets the routes), or he has to sell the inflated-price shares (and he makes millons).
He can't LOSE!
It's a cunning Lingus plan!
The man's a GENIUS . . .


LO-CO Long-haul. Wasn't there a bloke called Laker (who was subsequently followed by a beardie called Branson)?
Whatever happened to them? :confused:

O'Leary will make his money anyway. Either by taking over Aer Lingus (little chance I'd say) or by selling his shares when no one awaits it. Thats what happened to easyjet when the islanders sold there shares at the peak of speculation.

I heard talk of a Ryanair base at MAD within weeks as well today, seems very short notice!

What could be interesting to know:
- who's advising him;
- what (if anything) has been going on in any exchange-traded derivatives on Aer Lingus stock.

Would also be interesting to know if RYA has been buying on-market or if they managed to pick up a big swag in the IPO...

In any case it certainly puts EIN intro play and probably gives a push to anyone else looking to pick up a northern European carrier. If this goes through, it might not be the only one.

And again, for those who think unions (eg. pilots' unions) can't be taken on, then put your noggins further into the sand, such that they pop out in Australia and see what's going on there.

Erm no, not exactly. The share price only increased when people found out Ryanair are going for the takeover. If RYR start selling shares the price will collapse.

Short notice or not, Ryanair will give free flights, only pay tax they will fill the flights in hours.

MOL's offer is something like 27% higher than the flotation price appox one week ago ......

So why did they float at such a low price? ...... :confused:


if the bid goes thru staff will own 220 million euro's worth of shares .... that is a lot of yo'yo's ..... :eek:

Take Over?
 

EuroNews tonight publish this

The Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus has rejected a surprise takeover bid from the budget airline Ryanair. Aer Lingus' chairman John Sharman said:.

I love that quote, 'Aer Lingus has rejected a surprise takeover bid'. I have news for them. They can't reject it. It's up to the shareholders now. They are in it for the money and someone just gave them a 25% mark up on their investment. Aer Lingus can only advise rejection. They no longer have the power to do otherwise.

The unions are asking the government to buy back the shares. What a laugh. If it wasn't for the unions Aer Lingus delaying the flotation in the first place. The original price would have been higher and Aer Lingus would have been in a better positon by now. Remember Willie Walsh and his management team's proposal to buy out Aer Lingus. Suddenly that looks attractive.

MOL has stuck it to the Irish government and Aer Lingus in the biggest way possible. Whatever happens now FR owns a substantial part of Aer Lingus. Nothing will be same again.

There was one comment on TV which struck me. The unions were muttering about security of employment. Someone pointed out that EI shed 3000 jobs in the last few years. FR has only expanded.

It has to be a potential takeover was well flagged. Oddly enough BA was mentioned along with a few other European airlines. It didn't seem to occur to anyone that the most obvious buyer was the annoying man in the white building on the other side of the airport.:D

I've had a feeling that "your man" has been up to something for around 6 months, he has been out of the limelight letting the minions talk to the press only poping his head up now and then. Love him or hate him this is one of aviations master strokes and I don't think he can loose!:D

Fr guys are looking forward to a four sector Dublin-Boston-dublin-JFK-Dublin with 20 minute turnarounds, does Mol realise that means his pilots will now have to work more than the 18 hours a week they work now!:p