‘Threat’ to Aer Lingus slots

Aer Lingus’s Heathrow slots to Dublin, Cork, and Shannon could be under threat despite Government assurances, a TD has warned.

Clare’s Michael McNamara, who had the Labour whip withdrawn from him after voting against moves to sell the Government’s 25.1% stake in the airline to British Airways-led consortium IAG, is demanding clarity from ministers on the issue.

The move follows reports that the European Commission will only approve the €1.3bn takeover if IAG sheds some of its London slots to comply with competition rules.