the smaller airline will inevitably assume the higher cost base of the larger airline, which in Aer Arann's case could effect the viability of the Aer Lingus Regional operation.
I wouldn't agree. If EI were to absorb RE, it would be on the old EI Commuter terms as regards an EIR pay scale versus the mainline pay scale with an option of moving to the RHS of the 320 after a period of time and also depending on the standard sim + interview.
However, this is my opinion but this was the case back in the EI Commuter days.
CP.