Also BA really need the slots to compete with its rivals in Europe, the Middle East and North America and sadly unless LHR is expanded, they will have to look buy some from other operators, however since the BMI takeover there are not many left that hold a large number, only VS, LH and EI, not a good prospect then…
Listen, you really really don't seem to be getting this here. The fact that BA need slots is none of Aer Lingus' concern. In case this isn't sinking in;
AER LINGUS DON'T CARE HOW BA DOES, IF BA CAN'T COPE TOUGH LUCK TO THEM, BUT AER LINGUS DON'T CARE!!!!
Aer Lingus is not some sub section of BA that BA wants to get some of it's assets off, it is a competitor to BA, and a company that really couldn't concern itself less with the fact that BA can't compete with others, tough luck BA. What Aer Lingus does care about is making money, which is what it does with it's LHR flights which are the cornerstone as EI-BUD says of EI's short haul network. If they didn't make money on the flights then sure they might consider selling some of the slots, but they do make money on them, always have, so they're never ever ever ever going to sell one of their most profitable assets just to be nice to this other airline that is struggling because it's being bullied by those big mean other airlines...
Has this sunk in?