Majority sell-off of airline favoured

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen said he favoured a majority sell-off of Aer Lingus which would put an end to speculation about the future of the airline.

Mr Cullen said it mattered little to him whether it was an 80% or 90% sale of the state asset, so long as it was done quickly.

Willie Walsh, former chief executive Aer Lingus, welcomed the decision, saying it was imperative the airline had access to capital quickly in order to survive.