The takeover of ITA Airways by the Lufthansa Group has revitalized competition in the European airline market. A key element of this deal is the release of take-off and landing rights, so-called slots, at Milan Linate Airport. These slots are of particular importance because Linate is one of Italy's central airports and, due to its proximity to Milan city center, is a sought-after base for many airlines. What is surprising, however, is that Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost airline, has shown no interest in these slots. But what does this mean for competition and which airline could instead step into this lucrative gap? As part of its expansion, Lufthansa has taken over the Italian state carrier ITA Airways after it had stumbled financially in recent years. The EU Commission gave the green light for the takeover, but set clear conditions to ensure competition in the market. This includes Lufthansa having to give up 204 slots per week in summer and 192 in winter at Linate Airport. These slots include 15 take-offs and 15 landings per flight day and are primarily intended for flights to Lufthansa hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich and Brussels. Ryanair's withdrawal: "Unattractive conditions" Ryanair, which is often known as an aggressive competitor, surprised many market observers when the company announced that it had no interest in the slots that would become available. According to Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson, the slots are "conditional, unattractive in terms of time and too expensive". This statement sheds light on the challenges that airlines face when competing for slots at busy airports. The conditions that the EU antitrust authority has imposed on the