“TAP I think will end up at BA-IAG,” said Michael O’Leary according
to Reuters. Ryanair's CEO advanced with other predictions: "I think
easyJet will end up being bought by BA or Air France or both together and
Lufthansa will buy Wizz".
The Government intends to privatise the Portuguese airline
this year, and TAP has already hired a consultant, Evercore, for this purpose.
The Prime Minister stated last week in Parliament that he admits to selling all
of the capital, which belongs entirely to the State.
The British Airways and Iberia group is one of those
interested in the Portuguese carrier, along with Lufthansa and Air France –
KLM.
Ryanair's CEO predicts that mergers and acquisitions in
European aviation will continue in the coming weeks.
The head of the Irish airline believes that there will be no
recession in the British aviation market, pointing to a high number of
reservations for destinations such as Spain and Portugal for Easter and summer.
Ryanair expects an increase in average ticket prices (single
digits, but high) in the summer, with demand remaining robust.