Budget airline chief’s heart in Ireland with latest pitch for shamrock airline

MICHAEL O’Leary has always been quick to dismiss the running of Irish airports.

After all they account for just 15% of the airline’s traffic.

But this latest move shows his heart is firmly in Ireland as he pushes ahead with plans to acquire the former national airline.

And when it comes to deals as big as this personalities will play a huge role in determining the final outcome.

Seeing as we live in Ireland it’s quite likely that the paths of the major players will have already crossed.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary, is a former personal assistant to Tony Ryan, the once owner of Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA). Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington is a former executive with GPA.

However Mr O’Leary said yesterday that he hasn’t seen Mr Barrington for “a number of years”.

“I guess the last time I saw him was at Tony Ryan’s funeral,” said Mr O’Leary.

In another twist, Mr Ryan started his career as an Aer Lingus steward.

Analysts were quick to point out yesterday that the constituency of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was north Dublin, the area around the airport.

“That said, we would be surprised to see the government welcome the merger, but opposition might be less fervent. Labour will continue to oppose, we expect,” said RBS analysts.