Aer Lingus boss Dermot Mannion has said he does not expect Ryanair's takeover bid to succeed.
Speaking on RTÉ This Week, Mr Mannion said that Aer Lingus is one of the strongest airlines in Europe and there is no need for a merger with Ryanair.
He said Aer Lingus is not for sale and there is unity among the board, management and staff at the airline.
Mr Mannion also said he is confident he would be staying on as Chief Executive of the airline for the foreseeable future.
He said that an independent Aer Lingus was much better able to serve the interest of the Irish consumer and that the airline would put forward to shareholders an independent profitable growth agenda.
Year-round long haul services out of Shannon have been secured and, Mr Mannion says, this has for the first time created a platform where short-haul opportunities can be considered.
Mr Mannion said Aer Lingus was reviewing the Shannon Heathrow route.
