Etihad in talks to buy Aer Lingus stake - FT.com
Etihad, the fast-growing Middle Eastern airline, has approached the Irish government to buy its 25 per cent stake in flag-carrier Aer Lingus, people with knowledge of the move said.
The approach comes after the debt-laden Irish sovereign said in September it would sell its stake in the national carrier. Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s transport minister, said that he would not sell it for less than €1 per share, which would value the stake at €132.4m ($183m) and the airline at €529.6m.
Aer Lingus shares closed at €0.64 on Friday, valuing the airline at €338.94m and the government stake at €84.7m.
It is unclear how far talks have progressed and they might not result in any deal. Etihad and the Irish government declined to comment. Analysts believe that the most likely buyer of the airline is International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways.