O’Leary predicts Aer Lingus sell-off

Dublin: Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said the Government will probably be forced to sell its stake in Aer Lingus Group Plc to reduce the country’s budget deficit.

“It’s inevitable that the Aer Lingus stake will be put up for sale,” O’Leary said. “It’s a certainty — just probably not to us.”

The Government holds a 25% stake in Aer Lingus, worth €96.5 million at the current market price.