Aer Lingus sale decision imminent

Drawn out negotiations between the Government and International Airlines Group over the potential sale of the State’s stake in Aer Lingus are drawing to a close with a decision now imminent.

The Government’s review group and IAG representatives have been locked in talks for weeks in an attempt to thrash out a deal for the sale of the 25% stake.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe rejected IAG’s €2.55 per share offer in late February saying the five- year guarantee on the use of Aer Lingus’s Heathrow slots on Irish routes was insufficient.