Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) has an option to take full control of LaudaMotion (Vienna) in four years, a carrier spokesperson has confirmed to Reuters. For the time being, however, the Irish LCC is still awaiting the European Commission's approval to take a 75% stake, which it expects to receive in a matter of weeks.
In March, Ryanair announced it would initially take a 24.9% stake in the Austrian leisure specialist, and increase the stake to 75% pending the European Commission's approval.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has also revealed that he is ready to increase the carrier's investment in LaudaMotion by EUR20 million euro to a total of EUR120 million (USD140 million) in order to help the Austrian carrier cope with rising fuel prices. The current plan amounting to a EUR100 million euro investment covers both the cost of equity and a capital injection.
The Irish LCC and the successor to Niki (Austria) already closely co-operate in sales, operations, and marketing.
It is recalled that O'Leary recently also disclosed that Ryanair could leverage its stake in LaudaMotion, an Airbus operator, to depart from its long-standing commitment to an all-Boeing fleet.
