Etihad enters race for Aer Lingus stake

ETIHAD Airways has entered the race to acquire the Government’s 25% stake in Aer Lingus.

A report in the Financial Times yesterday morning suggested that the Abu Dhabi-based airline — which has had an Irish service since 2007 — has begun formal talks with the Government over a deal; but couldn’t confirm how far such negotiations have progressed. Any further information was thin on the ground yesterday afternoon.

Unsurprisingly, Aer Lingus was quick to point out that it was a matter for the Government; but the Department of Transport said that it had “no comment to make on the matter” — although the Minister Leo Varadkar later acknowledged that “considerable interest, both from other airlines and investors, has been shown”.