14/01/2009

Mayday! Aviation Chiefs Go Head-To-Head

The runways are cleared and emergency vehicles are on standby, as Ireland's aviation heads go 'mano-a-mano' on live television.

Michael O'Leary (pictured) and Dermot Mannion will take part in a live debate over Ryanair's proposed takeover of Aer Lingus.

The rival airline bosses are pencilled in to appear on tonight's Prime Time on RTE to argue out the €748m takeover bid.

The Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Mr Mannion, has consistently refused to consider Mr O'Leary's bid, which he says greatly undervalues the airline and would be breach EU rules on competition.

The debate is also expected to focus on the recent revelations over Mr Mannion's controversial severance deal, which he gave up last week.

Ryanair has said repeatedly that its offer of €1.40 per share was generous, however shares in Aer Lingus were up 0.6% at €1.57 yesterday, and have traded above the Ryanair offer price since December, four days after Ryanair's offer.

This means the Ryanair offer is now worth even less, and could lead to a point of contention for the Ryanair boss.

Meanwhile, Ryanair is today expected to 'buck the trend' in credit-crunched aviation, with an announcement that it will open a new route, from City of Derry to Alicante.

See: Spanish Link For Derry?

(DW)(BMcC)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

09 December 2008
Aer Lingus Knuckles Down Over Ryanair Offer
Aer Lingus is fortifying its defences against the bold approach from Ryanair last week. The airline's Chief Executive Dermot Mannion has announced the recent union agreement will mean the loss predicted for the end of year could be turned around due to its expected €50 million in cuts.
02 December 2008
Government Looks Seriously At Aer Lingus Offer
The Irish Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (pictured) is said to be having a "serious look" at a fresh multi-million euro offer for Aer Lingus from its rival Ryanair - even though the airline itself has publicly ruled the bid out. Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary has been actively trying to take over Aer Lingus for sometime, offering €1.
02 June 2009
Ryanair Flies Low
The budget airline Ryanair has revealed financial returns showing a major nosedive in operating profits. Ryanair plunged into the red by €169.2 million (£145.9m) in the year to March after being hit with a 59% hike in its fuel bill.
07 October 2014
Delays At Airport After Planes Clip On Runway
Minor delays were caused at Dublin Airport this morning after two Ryanair flights clipped each other while taxing to a runway. According to witnesses one plane lost a small section of its wing when it clipped another plane. No one was injured in the incident and the airport quickly returned to normal.
18 July 2012
Aer Lingus Want Shareholders To Reject Ryanair Takeover Bid
Aer Lingus has called on its shareholders to reject the Ryanair takeover offer. Ryanair submitted a formal takeover for Aer Lingus yesterday with an offer of €694m. However, Aer Lingus has said it believes Ryanair’s offer "fundamentally undervalues Aer Lingus and represents a significant discount to the intrinsic value of the business".