EI (Aer Lingus) to join ST?
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
I suspect certain OW members don't really want to reward EI for it's behaviour in the past.
#17
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
Don't forget the EI has a fair portion of it's shares owned by the dreaded O'Leary camp over at FR so I don't see FR willingly handing over those shares to BA.
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
It refused to pay the necessary fees to enable connectivity between it and JL. Also it's model was deemed to be too much on the low cost side of the equation (the irony is that BA seems to be following in it's path these days!).
Don't forget the EI has a fair portion of it's shares owned by the dreaded O'Leary camp over at FR so I don't see FR willingly handing over those shares to BA.
Don't forget the EI has a fair portion of it's shares owned by the dreaded O'Leary camp over at FR so I don't see FR willingly handing over those shares to BA.
They've softened their aggressive LCC strategy in some respects since the new CEO came on board, and realise that point-to-point travellers aren't the be all and end all and that trying to beat Ryanair in that market is a mugs game. They're slightly coming around the point that business/frequent travellers still use them (introducing new flexible fares, refreshing lounges, new long-haul J product, links with United etc). Thinking about alliances again makes sense if they want to follow that line of thinking.
#19
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
I doubt FR's shenanigans would present a problem providing BA could acquire a voting majority. The challenge would be convincing the govt to sell its shares.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,547
Given the dire state of the public finances - and the recent establishment of a review group to determine the best "use" of 28 commercial state bodies - I wouldn't be surprised but that the government would be willing to sell their Aer Lingus stake to the "right" bidder.
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 3,037
Is he going for Aer Finglas I wonder? Not buying for FR but himself that is...
The Irish Government doesn't care who buys as long as they get the cash in unmarked bills