Etihad interested in Ryanair's 30% stake in Aer Lingus

Etihad Airways could attempt to take advantage of Ryanair's failure to buy Aer Lingus after revealing it is interested in purchasing the low-cost airline's 30% stake in the Irish flag carrier.

Etihad, which already owns 3% of Aer Lingus, would be “very happy to have that discussion”, chief executive James Hogan - said “Dublin is a strong, profitable route for us and we’re very keen to strengthen our partnership there.”


Last month, Aer Lingus dismissed Ryanair's third takeover bid as not "credible". It added that that Ryanair's €694m (£545m) offer "fundamentally undervalue" the business.


Etihad has also reportedly held talks about buying the Irish government’s 25% stake in Aer Lingus as it invests in overseas airlines to help increase traffic through its Abu Dhabi hub.


It has already invested in Air Berlin, Virgin Australia and Air Seychelles, as well as striking 36 codeshare agreements, to assemble a global network. Talks on a codeshare deal with Air France-KLM are under way, Mr Hogan said. An equity investment isn’t being considered.


“There aren’t many other opportunities,” Mr Hogan said, who added that a potential tie-up between Etihad’s neighbour Emirates and Qantas on Australia-Europe routes would be a boon for the Middle East aviation sector.