The European Commission has approved the sale of Aer Lingus to International Airlines Group subject to conditions.
Aer Lingus Airbus A320 in retro colours at Dublin Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The main conditions that International Airlines Group will have to for-fill include:
- The release of five slots pairs at London Gatwick for competitions to compete on the Dublin-London/Belfast-London route – specifically:
- Two of the five daily frequencies must be operated between Gatwick and Dublin.
- One daily frequency must be operated between Gatwick and Belfast.
- The other two frequencies can be operated between Gatwick and either Dublin or Belfast.
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Aer Lingus will have to continue to carry connecting passengers for other airlines – who are connecting to long haul segments. on routes out of London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Amsterdam, Shannon and Dublin
Whilst the loss of some slots was not unexpected, the carrying of other airlines passengers is akin what IAG had do during when they brought British Midland Airways.
The sale of Aer Lingus has been turbulent, with many promises made to the Irish Government, as well as getting Ryanair to sell its stake in the Irish flag carrier.
With all these hurdles now cleared – all that remains is the Extraordinary General Meeting to be held on Thursday, which all things being equal – will rubber stamp the takeover.
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