Interesting movements in 2013

European consolidation is finally on the cards, but not through mergers, rather through cost cutting. Thomas Cook is merging its European businesses, while Ryanair and Flybe will together create an option that should allow for a Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus under current EU stipulated regulations. This will be good news for Ireland and good news for European aviation and will give both airlines significant increased feeder options across the British Isles. Of course the crunch is in the route detail but given that Aer Lingus has pulled out of many Irish domestic routes it seems only right that a