PARIS: The coronavirus will accelerate a Darwinian shakeout in Europe's overcrowded airline industry that ultimately benefits Ryanair and British Airways owner IAG, industry experts predict.
Norwegian did not respond to O'Leary's comments. However, the company - which raised cash from shareholders in November for the third time in less than two years - has been cutting costs and unprofitable routes, as well as selling assets, to bolster its finances.Whereas four airlines now control 80 per cent of the US market, Europe remains fragmented, with governments, unions and bilateral agreements impeding tie-ups.
The virus' spread is hitting more routes - prompting a 50 per cent cut in capacity by Lufthansa - while the full traffic impact is yet to show up in published data. Ryanair's growth has been hampered by the grounding of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft - it has 135 on order - and sold-out production of the Airbus A321neo it is eyeing for Austrian subsidiary Laudamotion.
Question: What's happening with Europe based airlines around COVID2019 The MiddleEast airlines like emirates etihadairways QatarAirways are waiving the cancellation fees and setting an example. What about BritishAirways Lufthansa KLM with transit hub in Europe