Sep 28, 2016, 2:57 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Aer Lingus takeover by IAG
Executive summary: Rumours of IAG (International Consolidated Airlines Group, British Airways, IAG Cargo, Iberia and Vueling - Link to Wikipedia article) interest in acquiring EI strengthened in December 2014, with refusals and objections by then 29% owner Ryanair, EI Board of Directors and some Irish government leaders (a 25% stake was held by the Irish government).
Aer Lingus, currently headed by CEO Stephen Kavanagh, was acquired by IAG for €1.36bn in 2015; IAG took full control of Aer Lingus on 02 Sep 2015.
Aer Lingus is working to join the oneworld airline alliance and plans to expand service to the U.S. later this year and next, CEO Stephen Kavanagh said Wednesday.
...Aer Lingus will strive to join the oneworld alliance that counts British Airways and American Airlines among its founding members.
“There are some advantages to joining the big-boys’ club,” Kavanagh said. While Avios will be a competitive tool, “ultimately, we believe that will result in our joining again oneworld,” he said.
Link to USA Today article - 18 May 2016
...Aer Lingus will strive to join the oneworld alliance that counts British Airways and American Airlines among its founding members.
“There are some advantages to joining the big-boys’ club,” Kavanagh said. While Avios will be a competitive tool, “ultimately, we believe that will result in our joining again oneworld,” he said.
Link to USA Today article - 18 May 2016
Aer Lingus is on target to join the OneWorld alliance next year (2017), when it should also be able to benefit from BA's joint venture with American Airlines.
"The next big integration issue will be Aer Lingus coming into the joint business on the transatlantic. That will require some systems changes," said (IAG CEO) Mr Walsh.
Link to article in Independent - 30 Apr 2016
"The next big integration issue will be Aer Lingus coming into the joint business on the transatlantic. That will require some systems changes," said (IAG CEO) Mr Walsh.
Link to article in Independent - 30 Apr 2016
On 26 May 2015, after months of negotiations on a possible IAG takeover, the Irish government agreed to sell its 25% stake in the company. Ryanair retained a 30% stake in Aer Lingus which it agreed to sell to IAG on 10 July 2015 for €2.55 per share. In August 2015, Aer Lingus' shareholders officially accepted IAG's takeover offer. IAG subsequently assumed control of Aer Lingus on 2 September 2015.
Link to Wikipedia article about Aer Lingus
Link to Wikipedia article about Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus IAG take over bid [Master Thread]
Sep 28, 2016, 10:07 am
#406
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,882
Yet for a carrier that would require two-stops (LHR and KUL), attracting a third to half the feed of BA and VS is indeed quite surprising. I think that's the interesting bit and there hasn't been a full-bodied theory that explains why MH has a much much bigger share than say, SQ. 
MH offered the cheapest fares in the market and until the missing flight and then the shooting down by Russia it somewhat dented their appeal to the Irish market. Recently they have started to recover although not sure what the future holds for them in the market. The next set of figures will tell us.
SQ seem to have slashed their fares for November onwards for the Irish market and they are currently the cheapest option to go to Australia. They are using EI to feed their flights at LHR CDG ZRH AMS FRA etc..
EY recently had a sale offering fares for around EUR950 these seem to be gone for many dates now and for the EK/EY you are looking at EUR1300-1500 for the peak dates. MH are offering EUR900-950 and you can always get the seats. People will still do 3 flights if they are saving over 200-300.
So the market and the amount of competition is why SQ declined out of Ireland.
