18 OCT: Middle East airline Etihad has approached the Irish government to buy its 25% stake in the national carrier Aer Lingus , the UK Financial Times reported yesterday.
The newspaper cited people with knowledge of the move as saying it is unclear how far talks have progressed and that they might not result in any deal.
The approach comes after James Hogan, Etihad chief executive, met the Irish prime minister Enda Kenny at a recent investment event in Dublin, the global Irish Economic Forum.
The Irish government announced in September it would sell its Aer Lingus stake.
Etihad has also been in talks with Virgin Atlantic on a possible partnership should the UK carrier bid for BMI, the lossmaking subsidiary of Lufthansa , the Financial Times said, again citing people familiar with the talks.
Aer Lingus and Etihad were unavailable for immediate comment.
