LOL

I can see two seperate brands working well. EI has everything in place that FR wants to have for it's long haul services (codeshares, business class, FFP, interlining) without the FR "tarnish" that might put people off flying "RyanAtlantic". EI could be used across Europe with the appropriately expanded fleet for long haul routes, and "premium" (if you could call EI that, but in comparison to FR it is, I guess!) short-haul - possibly with a re-jigged product offering across the board.

The current administration is much more likely to sell their shares for the right price than the previous one, and even though Aer Lingus's board have come out and advised shareholders to "take no action" as the current offer undervalues EI it's hardly a rousing rebuke, or comes close to the condemnation they previously issued when FR bid for them. Interesting times indeed. I do think that EI can only be isolated for a short while and that someone, somewhere is going to have to think fast before it finds itself in deep trouble in the current marketplace.