MAY 28TH, 2015

Aer Lingus welcomes Dáil approval of the sale of the Government’s shareholding to IAG

28 May, 2015: Aer Lingus Group today welcomed the decision by the Dáil to approve the principles of the disposal of the Irish Government’s shareholding in Aer Lingus to International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG).

Commenting on the development Chairman Colm Barrington said: “This is a compelling transaction for Aer Lingus, its shareholders, its employees, its customers and for Ireland. Shareholders will realise an attractive return through the premium that the IAG offer provides over the level of our share price immediately prior to the announcement of IAG’s offer. Aer Lingus will reap the commercial and strategic benefits of being part of the much larger and globally diverse IAG Group and as a member of the oneworld alliance of 17 airlines that together carry over 500 million passengers. This access to greater global scale will accelerate growth across our network, enhance Ireland’s position as a natural gateway connecting Europe and North America, give Irish tourism access to major traffic flows and customer loyalty programmes and provide better access for business interests and to cargo flows. This in turn will lead to an increase in jobs at Aer Lingus, in support activities and the tourism sector and, importantly, will strengthen connectivity to and from Ireland.”