FF abandons State interest in airline

THE flotation of Aer Lingus last year prompted fears among staff and politicians of all hues about the direction the company would take once it entered private ownership.

In an effort to assuage these fears, the Taoiseach eagerly told the Dáil last summer: “The State will retain a minimum stake of 25% in the company to protect the State’s strategic interest.”

However, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey said it would do long-term damage to “shareholder confidence” if the Government, as a shareholder, started making political decisions about the airline.