Landing fees could scupper IAG deal for Aer Lingus sale

Government officials are to meet with representatives of IAG again today to hammer out a deal over the sale of Aer Lingus but may be unable to accommodate one of the airline group’s key requests.

IAG is believed to be keen on capping Irish airport landing fees for the duration of any guarantee on the use of Heathrow’s landing slots for Irish routes, in order to offset some of the risk involved.

The Government is hamstrung in that regard, however, as charges are set by the independent Commission for Aviation Regulation which is unlikely to engage in negotiations with a commercial airline.