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Irish parliament votes in favor of Aer Lingus sale

Xinhua, May 29, 2015 Adjust font size:

Irish parliament on Thursday voted in favor of the sale of Ireland's 25.1 percent stake in its national airline Aer Lingus to the International Airlines Group (IAG).

The motion was passed by 74 votes to 51.

Ireland's Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe welcomed parliament's approval of the disposal of the country's shareholding in Aer Lingus to IAG, saying it is in the best interest of the company, the country and Ireland's connectivity.

"We will see the creation of jobs within our economy, enhancement of our connectivity and the future of the airline secured in what is an increasingly consolidating sector," he said.

"This decision was taken after many months of deliberation and negotiation, which saw a number of hard-won guarantees being secured. I have no doubt that Aer Lingus, as part of IAG, will be in a much stronger position for the future allowing the company to expand and develop in years ahead," he added.

Earlier, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said the sale of Aer Lingus will result in job creation and new routes.

IAG, one of the world's largest airline groups, is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. It has made three takeover bids for Aer Lingus, and its latest bid took place on Jan. 24, 2015, when it proposed a 2.55 euro (about 2.78 U.S. dollars) per-share takeover offer, totalling close to 1.4 billion euros. (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollars) Endit