Ryanair’s O’Leary Predicts Fall of Rivals During Five-Year Term

Ryanair Holdings Plc Chief Executive Officer Michael O’Leary said Scandinavian Airlines, Alitalia SpA and Air Berlin Plc are among carriers he expects to shrink or merge, prompting a growth spurt at Europe’s top discount airline after he signed up for five more years in charge.

Other competitors that O’Leary predicts face “cutbacks and consolidation” include Olympic Airlines SA of Greece, TAP-Transportes Aereos Portugueses, Iberia of Spain -- sister company to British Airways -- and Ireland’s Aer Lingus Group Plc, in which Ryanair has a minority stake.