IMHO, from a purely business perspective, EI offers nothing to IAG other than the Heathrow slots. Also only two airlines currently offer DUB-LHR services and from a completion perspective allowing them to merge would be just as anti-competivie as a take over of EI by FR.
The DUB-LHR service is seen as strategic for economic growth by successive Irish governments so I can't see any arrangement that threatens the capacity as being considered or allowed. Equally, I suspect the unions would be very worried by any IAG approach with the possibility of job losses as admin functions get shifted from DUB to lower cost centralised IAG facilities in the UK or Spain.
Operators from outside the EU might offer a better fit and deeper pockets.
JAS
Last edited by Just a spotter; 16th Sep 2013 at 20:09.