Ryanair threatens to quit the UK over economic malaise

Ryanair Holdings CEO Michael O'Leary says Britain’s revamped fiscal policy could bankrupt the country, while rising inflation and interest rates combined with a declining UK pound has one of his top executives saying the airline could quit the UK market. Putting forward the Ryanair point of view in Dublin this week, O'Leary told journalists that "I think what they have done in the UK is nuts. I think they could bankrupt the UK economy in the next two years." At the same event, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson warned the airline had the ability to withdraw from the UK market if economic conditions kept deteriorating and dampened demand for low-cost airline travel. According to a Bloomberg report, Ryanair is ready and willing to transfer its UK-based aircraft to any one of its 36 European bases. "If there’s issues with demand we have that ability to grow and locate aircraft in places that have the best cost base and where demand reflects putting in that capacity," he said.<br/>