Aer Lingus launches direct flights to Dubai from Dublin.
There was jazz and buck's fizz at Dublin Airport for the launch of the first direct Aer Lingus route between Dublin and Dubai. Aer Lingus has plans for more long haul routes. The airline first needs to spend €2 billion on aircraft and part of the funding could come from a stock flotation.
The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, believes a stock market flotation of Aer Lingus is the most favoured option for the national airline. The government will make a final decision on privatisation next week.
There are challenges to privatisation. Aer Lingus still has a €200 million pensions black hole, and agreement is needed on how to address this. Dermot Mannion, Aer Lingus CEO, says it can be tackled alongside preparations for flotation.
Trade Union SIPTU is opposed to the privatisation of the airline and has been balloting its members on industrial action. Christy MacQuillan, SIPTU, is surprised by the minister's announcement.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 March 2006. The reporter is David Murphy.
