Government waits for formal offer from Ryanair for Aer Lingus - RT News
...the Government will take into consideration when considering selling its share what is best for passengers, what is best for the taxpayer in terms of the price they get, what is best for the economy in terms of competitiveness and the views of the regulatory authorities to any bid.
Minister Varadkar also said that continued access to London's Heathrow will be considered when looking at any offer.
Willie Walsh said he was not interested in acquiring Aer Lingus, or the Government's 25% stake in the airline.
He also said there was probably "some merit" to Ryanair's argument that it should now be allowed to acquire Aer Lingus.
Scenario: - Government sells Aer Lingus stake to Ryanair with the condition that a certain number of Heathrow slots be used by them to fly to Ireland
- British Airways buys the Heathrow slots from Ryanair and honour the condition to use them to operate a certain number of Heathrow to Ireland (DUB/ORK/SNN) flights
- Aer Lingus Regional franchise deal finishes, Aer Arann re-emerge as an airline, Ryanair/Aer Lingus do not compete with them on certain routes for say 5 years (one of the conditions of buying the government stake in Aer Lingus)
- Aer Lingus brand exists alongside Ryanair for 5 years before disappearing