Chamber Welcomes Government Decision to Support IAG Offer for Aer Lingus

26th May 2015

Cork Chamber has this evening welcomed the Government’s decision to support the International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG’s) offer for Aer Lingus.

According to Mr. Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber, “The provisions of today’s offer are in line with the position advocated to Government by the Chamber in recent months regarding our concerns over the potential sale of Aer Lingus.”

“We welcome the mechanisms to facilitate the legally binding guarantees to protect the current Cork-Heathrow slots for 7 years, which is of paramount importance given the criticality of these slots to safeguard Cork’s connectivity for the region’s business and tourism communities into the future. Cork Chamber welcomes IAG’s commitments to maintain Cork’s current connectivity to Paris and Amsterdam and looks forward to working with IAG should the sale go ahead as part of IAG’s commitment to pursue further growth opportunities in the Munster region.”

“The establishment of a New Connectivity Fund from potential sale proceeds is very much welcome and given the specific need for route development support at Cork Airport due to falling passenger numbers, Cork Chamber is of the view that Cork needs to be a significant beneficiary of such funds once available”.

“Cork Chamber see’s this offer as a significant opportunity to capitalise on growth potential and secure enhanced air connectivity in the southern region and are hopeful of what IAG can potentially deliver for future connectivity from Cork to key destinations”.

“Cork Airport’s services and air-connectivity are critical to the economic health and global investment appeal of Ireland’s second city and its surrounding region. Cork’s air connectivity has been instrumental in attracting inward investment from global market leaders and plays a pivotal role in serving the needs of the broader indigenous business base and tourism sector”, concluded Mr. Healy.

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