Originally Posted by
Albert Hall
Isn't there a slightly more fundamental problem here - by far the largest part of Stobart Air's operation is as an Aer Lingus Regional franchise. Will Aer Lingus and IAG really tolerate their largest feed partner at Dublin being majority-owned by Virgin Atlantic? The Flybe SAS ATR operation is a sideshow as Nordica could take that on, but the EI - Stobart - Virgin - Flybe dynamic is strange. I don't get that angle at all.
I don't think IAG will care. For example, you can credit Aer Lingus flights to Star Alliance via United. You can earn BA Avios and Tier Points on Emirates via QF etc.
IAG will be solely concerned with "Does this make money for us?"