Etihad confirms stake in Aer Lingus

Etihad Airways confirmed on Tuesday that it had acquired a 2.987 per cent stake in Aer Lingus. The airline said the purchase reflected its desire to forge a commercial partnership with the Irish national carrier.

Etihad Airways believes a possible partnership could produce significant commercial benefits for both airlines.

Etihad Airways operates 10 flights a week from Abu Dhabi to Dublin and has carried more than 750,000 passengers between the two capitals since it began flying the route in July, 2007.

The airline has a premium lounge at Dublin Airport, an engineering maintenance facility and has conducted recruitment drives across the country. It also recently renewed its sponsorship of the Gaelic Athletic Association, signing a five-year deal.

Etihad Airways has strategic codeshare partnerships with 34 airlines around the world.

Earlier Story:

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad airline has acquired a 2.987 per cent stake in Aer Lingus over the past couple of months, according to an Irish daily.

Under stock market rules, Etihad is not required to disclose its shareholding until it has passed the 3 per cent threshold.

“Aer Lingus last night confirmed it was in discussions with Etihad in relation to reciprocal code-sharing arrangements. The two airlines are also investigating the possibility of joint procurement opportunities,” Irishtimes.com, the online edition of Irish Times said in a news report.

Nevertheless, the paper quoted Aer Lingus as saying that Etihad had given the Irish airline an undertaking that it does not intend to increase its shareholding pending the outcome of the discussions.

“There is no certainty as to the outcome of these discussions,” the paper quoted Aer Lingus as saying.

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