UK hedge fund Odey sells stake in Ryanair, IAG
Ryanair aircraft are pictured at Stansted airport, northeast of London, U.K., Aug. 20, 2020. (AFP Photo)


United Kingdom-based hedge fund Odey Asset Management has sold its stakes in airline firms Ryanair Holdings plc and International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, the Mail reported on Sunday.

Hedge fund manager James Hanbury sold his holding in British Airways-owner IAG, Mail reported, citing a presentation seen by the newspaper.

The recent development comes after the hedge fund took a short position for cinema chain AMC Entertainment, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Airlines, cinemas and other hospitality chains have been particularly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the fast-spreading delta variant further disrupting the sector.

Britain has double vaccinated a higher proportion of its population against COVID-19 than most other countries, but the government has prevented travel to many destinations by imposing rules that the travel industry says are hobbling the economy.

Odey, IAG and Ryanair were not immediately available to Reuters request for comment late Saturday.