The European Commission has blocked Ryanair’s proposed takeover of Aer Lingus. Good news for Northern Ireland, as Dublin Airport’s rapid growth and improved northern road connections has made it the key long-haul transport hub for the region.
Although locally in Belfast, Easyjet, Flybe and BMI remain stronger, a merger of the two main Irish airlines into a budget hyper-carrier would have seen the new airline without a serious competitor across the island – and inevitably led to higher prices and reduced route options.
The EU rarely gets credit for doing much right, so I’ll say good on ya, European Commission.
