Following the collapse of Primera earlier this month, Johan Lundgren told the Abta Travel Convention in Seville on Wednesday, October 10, that he foresaw further airline failures.

He also predicted more consolidation in the market: “I do think there is more consolidation to come and particularly now the fuel price being up will put some of the weaker players in a more difficult situation.”

However, Lundgren said easyJet did not rely on M&A activity to achieve growth in market share.

“EasyJet is the second biggest airline in Europe, but has 10% of the market share… so we have plenty of potential to grow organically.”

Meanwhile, Lundgren was quick to hit back at claims by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary in the media that some of the strikes affecting his company were “promoted and coordinated by rival airline employees”.

“I could spend half my working time arguing what competitors are saying about my company… they are envious,” he said.

“We have pilots who fly our aeroplanes… If you have an aircraft, try and get someone to fly it.”

He conceded that Ryanair’s woes had not been disadvantageous for easyJet.

“2018 has been a good year for us and we’ve benefitted from that environment with the strikes taking place,” he said.