The BBC news desk claimed today (Sunday 25 January) that Irish carrier Aer Lingus could be on the brink of accepting a takeover offer from IAG.

The BBC, which is not in the habit of putting out stories without good sources, said it understands that Aer Lingus ‘is set to approve’ a new €1.3bn ($1.4bn) takeover offer from the International Airlines Group (owners of British Airways, Iberia etc).

At stake for IAG is the potential acquisition of precious and valuable landing slots at Heathrow, against a background where the airport is literally full up and offers little or no chance for its airline customers to expand their operations.

As reported back in August 2013, Aer Lingus was also courted by Ryanair for some time until Ryanair was ordered to cut its 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus to 5% and take no further shares in the company. Whether it might sell its shares if approached by IAG remains to be seen.

There will also be some delicate political hurdles to negotiate in influential circles in Ireland if this deal turns out to be real and is accepted in principle. Access to Heathrow from other Irish airports – prinicipally Cork – has always been an issue in past discussions about the airline’s future.

To read the BBC story today, click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30967346

To read the TRBusiness story dated August 2013, click here: http://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/europe/ryanair-must-sell-air-lingus-shares