Paschal Donohoe: Aer Lingus deal won’t weaken Heathrow slot guarantee

Legal guarantees securing Heathrow routes to Cork and Shannon airports will not be weakened by a European Commission ruling on connectivity between London and Ireland in the wake of the Aer Lingus takeover, Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has pledged.

The minister was speaking after Ryanair said it would bid for Heathrow slots which the group IAG must give up as a condition of the Aer Lingus deal.

Mr Donohoe said the move would not adversely impact on Heathrow slots to Dublin, Cork, and Shannon.