25/02/2015

IAG Offer 'Bargain Basement Price' - Labour

Labour has criticised the IAG takeover bid for Aer Lingus as a "bargain basement price".

The party's Joe Costello said that the annual returns for the airline are "most impressive" and in a difficult economic climate, has "sprinted ahead of its competitors".

"With record passenger numbers in excess of 11 million passengers and a strong profit increase of 18% it is in a robust economic position," Mr Costello said.

"It is fast establishing itself as the transatlantic hub for Europe, having negotiated the crucial pre-clearance status for Dublin and Shannon.  It has done all this as a standalone airline.

"Clearly the IAG bid for Aer Lingus is a bargain basement one in light of these returns.  The twenty three Heathrow slots alone are worth the €1.3 billion being proposed for the entire airline.

"The five year guarantee is wholly inadequate.  Aer Lingus is a very valuable airline and the reasons for the Irish people holding the 25% share remain valid today."

(MH/CD)


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