Ireland: IAG hopes third time’s the charm for Aer Lingus buy

Aer Lingus is considering a third approach from rival International Consolidated Airlines Group that values the Irish flag carrier at 2 billion.

British Airways owner IAG has offered to purchase Irish carrier Aer Lingus marking its third bid in a relentless effort to grow its business.

The deal would bring Aer Lingus back under the leadership of Willie Walsh, IAG’s chief executive. Walsh was chief executive at Aer Lingus from 2001 until 2005.

The Irish government holds a 21.5 percent stake in Aer Lingus, and Paschal Donohoe, minister for transport, told the country’s national broadcaster RTE at the weekend that “huge care” will be taken in evaluating any proposal.

Ryanair has become somewhat of a hot commodity in the airline industry after UK-based budget airline Ryanair tried unsuccessfully to fully acquire Aer Lingus last year. The efforts backfired, however, as regulators demanded Ryanair to divest nearly all of its assets in the Irish carrier.

Full Content: The Irish Times

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