MANCHESTER 1

[Logohu]

Aer Lingus and IAG

So - what impact do posters think the swallowing of Aer Lingus by IAG will have on MAN and the UK regions ? Yes it's still subject to some rubber stamps but with the Irish Govt now on side it's essentially a done deal.

Is it all about the LHR slots, or is there a lot more at play here ? Apparently part of the deal to gain the Irish Government's approval is that EI (or IAG) will open another four North American routes from DUB next year. The build up of DUB capacity from MAN, BHX and other UK points next winter appears well timed.

Will we see further consolidation of IAG partner AA at MAN as transatlantic passengers are increasingly funnelled through DUB now as well as LHR ? If so how will Delta/VS and United protect their market from MAN and the UK regions ? And how will these two react to being squeezed at DUB by the EI/BA/AA monolith ?

Ken O'Toole rightly says that "customers do not have to fly through a London airport to reach their final destination". He's right, now they have an even closer hub to fly through just a short 40 minute hop west of his doorstep. Meanwhile long awaited plans for redeveloping the terminals at MAN continue to inch along. Hmmm...