Aer Lingus "to accept" IAG Offer

[jcw]

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30967346
 

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Aer Lingus would bring BA an additional 23 slot-pairs at LHR.  It may seem pricey, but EI is the largest slot holder at LHR after BA, LH and VS.

 

[eolesen]

New wrinkle... QR just announced that they hold ~10% of BA.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/01/30/us-iag-m-a-qatar-idUSKBN0L30HD20150130

EY owns a minority stake in EI (somewhere between 3 & 4%). Whether or not they choose to keep that stake if IAG takes over is yet to be determined, but it would create an interesting situation by which both QR and EY would have an equity stake in EI.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Looks like the Irish gov is giving IAG the shakedown.
 
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/957ce2d4-bc43-11e4-b6ec-00144feab7de.html#axzz3SlBf3iLO
The Irish government on Tuesday rebuffed an attempt by International Airlines Group to buy Aer Lingus, saying it needed more assurances on jobs and growth prospects before it would consider selling the state’s 25 per cent stake in the Irish flag carrier.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Shares in Aer Lingus have risen 3% in the wake of the Irish government's agreement to sell its 25% stake to IAG, the owner of British Airways.  Its agreement comes after IAG gave certain pledges to preserve jobs and transport links within the Republic.
Although the Irish government and the board of Aer Lingus now support the €1.36bn (£961m) bid, Ryanair, which owns 29.8%, has yet to commit.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32895827