Aer Lingus - 6

[racedo]

Oh, a bit rhetorical, perhaps. But the situation he now faces is really not a pleasant one. He has egg on his face (just another metaphor, in case you feel like checking).

Lets see Ryanair board made a collective Board decision on the issue and investors don't seem to have had a problem with it EVER and given already written down value to €0.50 then not sure why they would have an issue now.

Forcing them to sell at €1.06 would put €180 million into the bank with no problem in the world and then let the new shareholder do as they wish.

You know what? I think that's a BRILLIANT idea!
Finally Mr.O'Leary gets to take PERSONAL responsibility for the cost of his mistake! Instead of his poor shareholders, let him shoulder the losses himself!
At 1.10'ísh per share the current capitalised value of EI is about 620M, so the 29% FR holding will cost him around 180M. Where will he get 180M?
well his net worth is around 275M according to Irelands 'Rich List' - so he can afford to pay for it himself, with change left over!
Or, as you suggest, he could look for Finance.
What would be the repayments per month on 180M?
I calculate it to be 3.15M at 1.75%.
That wipes him out in 7 years. Not a very smart move. Not very Michael O'Leary'ísh.

Really ?

Think you would find Institutions beating a path to his door to provide funds to invest.

Previous track history and success is a good guide for institutions so find the money would be easy.

Investors like this don't ask for money to be returned each month as putting in €250 Million and taking €750 Million in 5 years time pays a little more that 1.75%.

Of course he might look for a 'White Knight' to tap.
But is anyone outside FR seriously interested in taking a punt of that nature? I doubt it. And if it was someone INSIDE FR - I can see all sorts of legal difficulties arising, especially with the UK CA. The Irish Stock Market rules might throw a spanner in it too. Conflict of interest? Acting in Concert? Choose your poison....

In fairness there's also the argument that, if he's going to make amends properly, he should repay the full cost of his misadventure. He bought at around 2.90 per share, so the bill should really come to 475M or thereabouts.

Really good idea though. I hope he pulls it off, and loses his fortune in the process.

Wow so full of bitterness.

Coming up with lots of terms you don't understand.

You really don't get the idea of what The Board of companies are for do you.

Did you know that the mega profitable FR had the same tax bill last year as little ole PAYE taxpayer Micko? How can that be? I'm sure it's all above board of course! I'm 100% behind you. How dare those nasty internet denizens and journo's make accusations about FR's taxes. They should be bloody sued right away for daring to post this kind of tripe: Ryanair boss faces investigation into alleged tax evasion in Italy | Business | guardian.co.uk
That Italian judge should be fired too, don't you agree?

Companies that invest in Capital equipment are allowed write down the cost of the equipment against profits, over a number of years that has been the position in UK, Ireland and pretty much every country for decades. This is why companies who make money continually invest, to minimise tax.

If you disagree then suggest you write to every govt to change it

As the Tax specialist makes clear no law has been broken and think you will find tax specialists have a greater grasp of tax law than prosecutors, its why they charge €2-3k per day at a junior level.

As EU tax law is being observed then making noises to a newspaper as the prosecutor has done really shows there is little to worry about. He wouldn't be talking to the media if he had a case.

Its nice that an Italian prosecutor is getting interested in tax evasion, think he should look closer to home though.

[Jamie2k9]

Aer Lingus have begun tests at JFK T5, parked EI-ELA at one of the gates yesterday and rumoured start date is March 17th for a St Patrick's Day celebration.

Full operations will start at T5 on 27 March.

[Copenhagen]

BALHR - BA aren't stupid, and playing with FR can and will come back to haunt them. Those four EI slots not being off loaded by FR- they won't be for an Irish service - you can be guaranteed that they will be for their long haul operation.

Ryanair is always one step ahead in the game of chess.

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "Go home BALHR, you're drunk"

The perils of under-age drinking?

[BALHR]

It is fair to say LHR is full and any new entrant must obtain slots from a current carrier

BA has no slot shortage, recent new routes domestic , shorthaul, mid haul and longhaul PLUS currently lease slots toother airlines

BA do need to wait for their new aircraft to switch some of their less profitable slots eg DUB to other routes, probably Longhaul .

No commercial sense in buying more slots in current climate when they already have a surplus

They barely have enough slots to compete with its European rivals even after buying BMI (only that has allowed BA to launch more routes), what makes the problem even worse is that LHR AND LGW are full and cannot be expanded

I mean look at it this way, BA currently has 52.5% of the slots at LHR (Along with 20% at LGW), on the other hand Lufthansa has 70% of the slots at FRA and even more so in MUC and Air France-KLM has 60% of the slots at CDG and AMS, all of which can (and do) handle more flights than LHR, that gives them a vast advantage (and I haven’t even got to the other hubs, such as LH’s hubs at ZRH for example)

That is why BA European rivals have more extensive networks to South America (which is taking market share from BA’s sister airline IB), China and Africa than BA, while BA has the advantage (just…) in terms of flights to India and America, LH (with help from UA) is now not that far behind in both cases

So they really need to buy as many slots at LHR + LGW + LCY as legally possible (and I mean really push it to the absolute limit) to prevent BA from falling further behind and keeping up its rivals in Europe, North America and the Middle East

[Meccano]

So, about O'Leary's decision to launch the bid on EI you first say the following:

Lets see Ryanair board made a collective Board decision on the issue and investors don't seem to have had a problem with it EVER and given already written down value to €0.50 then not sure why they would have an issue now.

Then you say this in the same post about him taking over the shares himself:

Really ?
Think you would find Institutions beating a path to his door to provide funds to invest. Previous track history and success is a good guide for institutions so find the money would be easy.

It seems the irony of your contradictory statements are completely lost on you.
Or rather that you're just happy to reverse your argument when the situation requires.
So which is it? He is the solo boy wonder? Or the Board is responsible for FR's success? Hint: I suggest a hybrid model will suit your argument best here.

Forcing them to sell at €1.06 would put €180 million into the bank with no problem in the world and then let the new shareholder do as they wish.

Would you care to translate that piece of gibberish?

Investors like this don't ask for money to be returned each month as putting in €250 Million and taking €750 Million in 5 years time pays a little more that 1.75%.

Is that a sure fire GUARANTEED return?
Cos I'm trying to think who might actually be up for that kind of punt in these straightened times.
I would suggest Bondermans own lot, TPG Capital, but they're stinging from another little misadventure of a SURE THING. They invested 510M USD in Midwest Airlines, and recently sold it for 31M USD. Ouch!
And anyhow, Bonderman might be at odds with Micko over ownership of EGSS. All's fair in love and war!
Anyhow, you get the picture. Where airlines are concerned, there is no Sure Fire Guarantee. And a lot of people are indeed questiong Mr.O'Leary's obsession with EI, whether you've noticed or not (obviously not).

Wow so full of bitterness.

Coming up with lots of terms you don't understand.

You really don't get the idea of what The Board of companies are for do you.

Bitterness? No.
Schadenfreude, yes.
The man has destroyed enough other people for me (and thousands of others) to look forward to his downfall.
As to the rest of that, you'll have to be more specific.

Companies that invest in Capital equipment are allowed write down the cost of the equipment against profits, over a number of years that has been the position in UK, Ireland and pretty much every country for decades. This is why companies who make money continually invest, to minimise tax.

If you disagree then suggest you write to every govt to change it

I'm thinking - Starbucks!
That would be cool, wouldn't it?
If the hard pressed tax paying public were to suddenly feel exploited by a Corporation which touts a consumer friendly image (as Starbucks and FR does), while arranging to pay a fraction (or zero) tax. Then comes the backlash.
Ah well, we can dream...

Edit

On the subject of Ryanair and taxes, I just read this posting from another thread on this BB. My God, the convolutions! The sheer dodginess! And the Italian thing doesn't seem to be the dead duck you've painted it as....at least not for the poor buggers caught in the crossfire!

It is the intention of the company to provide several different types of contracts through a very complex layer of third party organizations. UK recruitment agencies such as Brookfield and Storm & McGinley, Irish accountant companies such as McNamara, CXC, Scalone, and O'Connor, training organizations such as Dutch CAE or UK East Midlands Training LTD, and even Ryanair LTD themselves are all involved in providing employment contracts to Ryanair pilots.

The same applies to Cabin crew who have to deal with agencies such as: Crewlink, Dalmac (also known as Workforce International), or St. James Management for their employment contracts.

The "management fee" you mention is charged by the above-referred Irish accountants for their services. It is in fact 3% (not 2) on the gross salary, or 1000 euros per year (there are two different sets of charges). These accountants are specifically selected by Ryanair and the recruitment agencies.

Most of the pilots who joined the company in the last 3 years are on the following contract: commonly called the "new" Brookfield contract. Here is how it works:

-Four parties are involved: Ryanair (the "Hirer"), Brookfield Aviation International LTD (the "Contractor"), the pilot's LTD company (the "Service company"), and the pilot (the "service company's representative").

-The pilot MUST create a LTD company (the service company) in Ireland through one of the 4 approved accountants (mentioned above). The pilot cannot freely choose his/her own accountant. These "approved" accountants have a number of ready-made empty shelf companies. 3 pilots (chosen randomly by the accountant) become associates and directors of the company. The pilots have NO CONTROL whatsoever on their own company as the accountant is the sole administrator. The accountant receives monthly payments from the contractor (the agency) and distributes salaries to the directors (the pilots) after deduction of company's expenses (filed by the pilot monthly), the accountant's fee and all Irish income taxes (PAYE, USC) and Irish National insurance (PRSI). The pilot, who is one of the nominated Directors, is in fact salaried through a dodgy and complex structure on which he/she has absolutely no control.

(Ryanair provides a monthly remittance advice to Brookfield. This details the amount of scheduled hours flown by the pilot. Brookfield issues payment to the Irish accountant in accordance with contracted terms. The accountant issues then payment to the pilot after said-deductions. Brookfield and the accountant being the "middle-men" get commissions for their services rendered).

Income Tax and Social Tax issues:

Ryanair has bases all around Europe and operates many domestic routes in Spain, France, Italy and now Greece (amongst others). Pilots (and cabin crew) are BASED in these countries. This means that they start and finish their duty in the same foreign base. Many of these crews aren't Irish citizens, nor Irish residents and in fact some even never ever set foot in Ireland! Many of these crews are Spanish, French or Italian Nationals with their fiscal residence set in their home countries. Their interests are clearly at home and not in Ireland. However, with the employment system described above, they HAVE to comply with the Irish taxation laws:

In January 2011, the Irish Finance Act was modified (Section 127B of TCA 1997) and stated the following:
"Any income arising to any individual whether Resident in the State or not, from any employment exercised onboard an aircraft that is operated in international traffic and where the aircraft is so operated by an enterprise that has its place of effective management in the State (Ireland) shall be chargeable to Tax under schedule E" (Irish Income Tax rates).

In other words ALL crew employed in Ryanair (employees or contractors) must pay their income taxes in Ireland, regardless of their tax obligations in their home countries. Most EU countries have DTA's "Double Taxation Agreements" which 'should' allow workers employed abroad to decide where they want to pay tax (country of residence or country of work). However, the Irish Revenue now disregards the DTA (except for the UK and the Netherlands) and states that the Finance Act supersedes these situations.

Unfortunately for the crews based in France (full time 2007-2011 and summer base 2011-2012), in Italy or in Spain, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult. The local tax man is now knocking at the door of the based crews claiming income (and social) tax which hasn't been paid in the country of residence. Very recently some crews in Bergamo, Italy have received letters from the Italian authorities in that respect.

In regard to social tax, the EU Regulation 465/12 states that social tax must now be paid in the country of residence (for all workers hired after 28 June 2012). This basically means that Ryanair pilots (and cabin crew) working in Italy or Spain (or anywhere else in the EU for that matter) must comply with local regulations in terms of social/national insurance and pay their contributions. Although these are already paid in Ireland through the accountant's administration rules: the PRSI (pay related social insurance) is deducted from the gross salary issued to pilots. By the way, the same applies to Ryanair employees.

Does this means that flight crew will soon have to pay twice? Pay income tax and social tax both in Ireland and country of residence? What will Ryanair do to protect the workforce? Not much IMHO as in fact the "workforce" is not employed by Ryanair but are in fact independent contractors who are self-employed, therefore obliged to maintain contractual and legal obligations.

http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...safety-17.html

[BALHR]

There's no need for help, the bid is not going to go through.

But they will be back and will keep doing so until FR are no longer a shareholder...

The only bid they cannot refuse would be 100 years profit given to them up front, including infaltion, short of that they'd be better off with the slots.

EI is here for the long term, it doesn't care about making a quick buck from selling it's LHR slots, it has a lot of liquidity at the moment, they're not strapped for cash and have no need for the extra cash on hand, and even if they were, I'd say EI would sooner sell their entire fleet before they sold their LHR Slots.

How can you predict the next 100 years of profits, there are barely any airlines that have even lasted as long...

EI does have the problem in the fact their biggest shareholder keeping trying to takeover the airline and hold EI hostage, so to fix it, they can sell their LHR slots (which will make them a vast amount of money) and with IAG (who will get involved in return of the sale of EI's LHR slots to them) can buyout MOL/FR out and prevent any future takeover by that airline

Also the term "long-term" does not apply to this industry, it is that unstable...

You don't seem to grasp the fact that EI would make money operating the route itself, rather than letting BA do it on its behalf, so unless BA is going to be so kind as to donate all the profits of that route to EI, and let's face it, never going to happen, then EI are better off doing it themselves. Besides, based on what I've heard about the routes from DUB/BHD -> LHR, EI are wiping the floor with BA when it comes to load factors, yields, punctuality and the number of corperate contracts they have, so why let BA do it when they're going to be forced off the route by EI anyway?

EI are without a doubt making money on LHR-DUB/BHD, but they deal with the "Ryanair" problem and still make money on LHR-DUB/BHD (which they would codeshare on)

Remember if BA/EI combined their LON-IRE routes, yields will rise and thus they are more profitable, so it will have little if any loss of income from those routes overall (while at the same time, dealing with their biggest problem)

In fact its BA that will have a raw deal out of this, but even they benefit in the chance of launching more profitable routes...

Go home BALHR, you're drunk

I am at home already and if I was drunk, I find it hard to even operate the computer in the first place...

BA have being code sharing with EI for years and still are BTW so why would EI code share with them when BA would be unable to provide 12 or 13 daily flights depending on season that EI can. BA are only on DUB route because they took over from BMI and currently have nothing productive to do with the slots or aircraft which is why they are operating the route. BA can't be bothered even offering there own flights for passengers who are connecting from DUB at LHR only the EI ones are offered. It says a lot don't you think...

BA would be able to retain the right amount of frequency (even if its 12 X daily) due to the fact they will have both their own LHR-IRE and EI's LHR-IRE slots as well, besides BA are well known for their route planning

If the LHR-DUB/BHD routes where not countributing overall to the airline, they would have been gone by now, they have already cut the number of routes they got from BMI, personally I was surprised they retained those routes (in the past, they have left it to EI) in the first place...

BALHR - BA aren't stupid, and playing with FR can and will come back to haunt them. Those four EI slots not being off loaded by FR- they won't be for an Irish service - you can be guaranteed that they will be for their long haul operation.

Ryanair is always one step ahead in the game of chess.

Those four EI slots that Ryanair are not planning to sell (I only knew this thanks to a fellow user at this forum) are leased from VS in the first place, so I would be gussing that VS would want them back or launch their own LHR-DUB service (or something else...)

Besides if FR want to launch long-haul routes (they havebeen talkign about it for years, but little has happened), they will simply rebrand EI's TATL flights

FR will face a much harder task on the TATL routes out of LHR due to strong competition already so I doubt if they are interested (the same goes for any route out of LHR...)

[Hangar6]

EI in the future

I think BA should cosy up to EI before its too late for them to recapture their shorthaul feed,

BA europe should just out source all their flights to EI or at least the main city connections ROI NI GERMANY fRANCE etc as clearly the EI approach works

BA have a surplus of slot so wont be buying any or indeed even able to amke money doing it

That will ensure BA grows in LHR

LHR need for a runway extension is probably now passed given ME carriers impact on UK regional airports

Who would choose LHR with the t1 to t5 change when they have the ME , on terminal and a far superior aircraft choice, less stops , impressive in flight services and aircraft lounges

EI might just be the saving of BA shorthaul in LHR

[ryan2000]

Not sure if the EI brand would be as strong on routes from the Continent to LHR.

[Hangar6]

sooo true

Hi yes agreed tried to PM you but the system beat me

[Meccano]

They can buyout MOL and prevent any future takeover by that airline.

Why would he sell, unless forced to? He's enjoying being a spoiler.

But they will be back and will keep doing so until FR are no longer a shareholder...

Not necessarily. He may indeed be forced to sell. And soon.
Let's wait and see what the UK CA has to say before doing anything drastic, eh?

[BALHR]

I think BA should cosy up to EI before its too late for them to recapture their shorthaul feed,

BA europe should just out source all their flights to EI or at least the main city connections ROI NI GERMANY fRANCE etc as clearly the EI approach works

BA have a surplus of slot so wont be buying any or indeed even able to amke money doing it

That will ensure BA grows in LHR

LHR need for a runway extension is probably now passed given ME carriers impact on UK regional airports

Who would choose LHR with the t1 to t5 change when they have the ME , on terminal and a far superior aircraft choice, less stops , impressive in flight services and aircraft lounges

EI might just be the saving of BA shorthaul in LHR

Frankly I don't see the benefit out of all of this, VS is only doing it so that it can operate the route before the deadline to use them since they cannot order A320s fast enough

BA does have a shortage of slots, since they have a smaller share of the slots then it rivals at the main european hubs (including FRA/MUC and AMS/CDG) which can handle more flights then LHR

The T1-T5 problem can be fixed by expanding T5

Why would he sell, unless forced to? He's enjoying being a spoiler.

To make money out of all of this, otherwise its a waste of shareholders money

Not necessarily. He may indeed be forced to sell. And soon.
Let's wait and see what the UK CA has to say before doing anything drastic, eh?

On what legal basis?

[DollarBill]

BALHR-----besides BA are well known for their route planning


Well with strong yield and load factors on EI in 2012, obviously the poor auld paddies are just throwing darts at the map?*




I think BALHR should go off to the BA thread with his BA centric theories on how EI should allow themselves to be absorbed into BA 'for the benefit of all'





*FR may actually be doing this judging by some of the places they fly to.

[airbourne]

Cardiff

Aer Lingus offer more USA connections from Cardiff « officialwan



Extra choice and easier travel from Cardiff to the USA via Dublin

Aer Lingus has made travelling to the USA from Wales via Dublin even more attractive for Summer 2013.

The schedule will operate with daily services linking Wales and 3 major US Cities via their Dublin hub. Flights are now well timed to ensure clearing US Immigration formalities whilst in transit at Dublin makes the overall journey much quicker and easier for passengers.

The schedule will have daily flights available to New York JFK, Chicago O’Hare and Boston, all with smooth simple transits via Dublin.

Flights will depart Cardiff daily at 11h35, arriving into Dublin at 12h45

Onwards flights to New York JFK depart Dublin at 15h45 arriving at 18h15

operations to Chicago O’Hare will also depart Dublin at 15h45 arriving at 18h10

And services to Boston are planned to depart Dublin at 16h15 arriving at 18h15

On return journeys, flights from New York JFK will depart at 17h40 arriving into Dublin at 05h20

Departing Chicago O’Hare at 15h50 arriving into Dublin at 05h20

Departing Boston at 18h20 arriving into Dublin at 05h15

And all connecting back to Cardiff departing Dublin at 10h00 arriving back to Wales at 11h10

A typical trip between Wales and The USA will now take on average just over 11 hours (including the time spent clearing immigration spent whilst connecting flights via Dublin.) This is much quicker than travelling via London and certainly offers travellers a better opportunity to have a more relaxed journey experience than taking the risks of dealing with the traffic on the M4 motorway and standing in the long queues at immigration halls in the USA.

Flights are available from as low as £545 return from Cardiff to all three cities inclusive of taxes and baggage allowance.

Spencer Birns, Cardiff Airport’s Head of Commercial Operations and Air Service Development commented, “The adjusted schedule, makes choosing to use Aer Lingus from Cardiff to the USA via Dublin a far more attractive travelling option. We encourage Welsh passengers to look into using these flights from Cardiff via Dublin ahead of travelling via London for their journeys to the USA next year.”

[racedo]

So, about O'Leary's decision to launch the bid on EI you first say the following:

Then you say this in the same post about him taking over the shares himself:

It seems the irony of your contradictory statements are completely lost on you.
Or rather that you're just happy to reverse your argument when the situation requires.
So which is it? He is the solo boy wonder? Or the Board is responsible for FR's success? Hint: I suggest a hybrid model will suit your argument best here.

Think you are confusing Michael O'Leary and Ryanair as they are different legal entities.

Michael O'Leary did not bid on Aer Lingus.

FR can sell to whomever they want including IAG or to Michael O'Leary and then bank the cash to do as they wish.

Is that a sure fire GUARANTEED return?
Cos I'm trying to think who might actually be up for that kind of punt in these straightened times.
I would suggest Bondermans own lot, TPG Capital, but they're stinging from another little misadventure of a SURE THING. They invested 510M USD in Midwest Airlines, and recently sold it for 31M USD. Ouch!
And anyhow, Bonderman might be at odds with Micko over ownership of EGSS. All's fair in love and war!
Anyhow, you get the picture. Where airlines are concerned, there is no Sure Fire Guarantee. And a lot of people are indeed questiong Mr.O'Leary's obsession with EI, whether you've noticed or not (obviously not).

Wow so a loss should stop all TPG investment, then again thats 3 years ago or irrelevant really as billions of $ in investment later shows.

As Ryanair has already more than paid any TPG investment back a couple of times I guess they not that worried but do keep trying.

I'm thinking - Starbucks!
That would be cool, wouldn't it?
If the hard pressed tax paying public were to suddenly feel exploited by a Corporation which touts a consumer friendly image (as Starbucks and FR does), while arranging to pay a fraction (or zero) tax. Then comes the backlash.
Ah well, we can dream...

Investing in capital is always allowable to be written down against tax. The idea that somehow Ryanair is any different from any other capital intensive business is laughable. But keep on with the dead horse.

Clearly you really out of your depth in comparing to Starbucks.
Starbucks has few if any capital assets.

As for Italians, fraid nobody is that worried about their tax people, not even Silvio.

[Meccano]

Think you are confusing Michael O'Leary and Ryanair as they are different legal entities.

Michael O'Leary did not bid on Aer Lingus.

Sheesh...you really insist on this game of semantics. Enjoying yourself?
Yes Yes, we all KNOW. O'Leary is not FR yadda yadda. Technically. Legally.Etc Etc.
But functionally, and in everything they do and say, he is the face of Ryanair, the boss of Ryanair, the decision maker at Ryanair. The Board are an inconvenient legal encumbrance of the Stock Market, merely there to rubber stamp him and collect a big fat paycheque. Who do you think you're kidding? Maybe yourself alone.

FR can sell to whomever they want including IAG or to Michael O'Leary and then bank the cash to do as they wish.

Indeed. At a loss of over 270M euro.
And if its a forced divestment I think they need to be careful who they sell to. Otherwise the whole merry go round of legal actions starts up again, and I expect the people in the UK CA don't like to be made fools off.....

Wow so a loss should stop all TPG investment, then again thats 3 years ago or irrelevant really as billions of $ in investment later shows.

It was a 500M USD hit.
Suck THAT up.

As Ryanair has already more than paid any TPG investment back a couple of times I guess they not that worried but do keep trying.

Yeah. Some you win, some you lose.

Investing in capital is always allowable to be written down against tax. The idea that somehow Ryanair is any different from any other capital intensive business is laughable. But keep on with the dead horse.

True. But when its taken to extremes people start feeling like its taking the mickey. Then comes the backlash.

As for Italians, fraid nobody is that worried about their tax people, not even Silvio.

Well I'm sure thats easy for you to say - I doubt you've had a Tax Demand from them drop through your letterbox!
But it wasn't just Italy mentioned in that lengthy article you carefully ignored in my last post! Funny how you pick over my small comments, but ignore vast tracts which are obviously too inconvenient and difficult to waffle away.
Come on now - how can Ryanair justify forcing contract pilots to set up convoluted vehicles for tax purposes? Whats the point? Why not keep your noses out of the pilots tax affairs?

By the way - Silvio was recently sentenced to four years in jail in Italy for Tax Fraud.....

[EI-A330-300]

Ryanair have less than 3 weeks to provide more concessions to the EU if they want to take over EI.

Further concessions from Ryanair sought to rescue Aer Lingus bid - The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 11, 2013

[BALHR]

Well with strong yield and load factors on EI in 2012, obviously the poor
auld paddies are just throwing darts at the map?*

I think BALHR should go
off to the BA thread with his BA centric theories on how EI should allow
themselves to be absorbed into BA 'for the benefit of all'

*FR may
actually be doing this judging by some of the places they fly to.

I am not suggesting that BA buys EI, all I am suggesting is that BA buys their LHR slots and help them stop a FR takeover altogether....

Ryanair have less than 3 weeks to provide more concessions to
the EU if they want to take over EI.

Further concessions from Ryanair sought to rescue Aer Lingus bid
- The Irish Times - Fri, Jan 11, 2013

What addtional concessions would be needed and would this involve EI's LHR slots?

[pwalhx]

BALHR you need to lose this fixation with BA getting their hands on EI's slots at LHR it will not happen. There are no sound economic reasons for EI to sell their golden slots as has been explained many times.

[Fairdealfrank]

Quote: "BALHR you need to lose this fixation with BA getting their hands on EI's slots at LHR it will not happen. There are no sound economic reasons for EI to sell their golden slots as has been explained many times."

There's also no need. EI don't need to sell, BA don't need to buy.