Abu Dhabi airline takes stake in Aer Lingus and could bid for control of airline

I would like to see the Irish government keep the shareholdership in Irish hands, too. There continues to be an awful lot going on that doesn't seem in the best interests of the citizenry of Ireland or the Irish Diaspora, for that matter. America has created a huge disaster, by putting everything up for grabs for foreign nations, since Reagan opened up the floodgates by allowing, Japan, Germany, etc. etc. to own America's industries and real estate. It was all done with the promise of creating jobs. This is the biggest lie going. The truth is the government (taxpayers) subsidize everything and not many jobs are created. Employees end up having their state taxes deducted and sent to these foreign nationals. Don't be fooled Irish people. You don't need to be harnessed like us Yanks.

Checkmating Ryanair was to boost competition and prevent outright monopoly privatisation - i.e. shareholder democracy! Etihad is the state airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - not the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia! We only have to deal with an Emir not a King, which should be easier I imagine? (Should residents of a smaller state of a certain island nation be commenting on the larger state of that country, particularly if she considers them to be mutually exclusive?) Keep Aer Lingus - the national flag carrying airline in majority Irish shareholdership, including Ulster/Northern Irish. Better still, discriminate in favour of Irish-American shareholders. Give them a fair-sheik too! NB Pres. Higgins!

Who do you Americans think owns the American ports? Duh!

Skibereen, The Saudi's are very close friends of the Bushes, after 9/11 President Bush authorised special flights out of the USA for Saudi Nationals fearing a backlash. Money has friends everwhere, like Celtic Tiger Politicans.

Skibberrean, first of all you don't live in Ireland and apparently don't have a clue about Aer Lingus or Ireland.

This is a disgrace and should NOT be allowed to happen! Ireland will be very sorry to get involved with anything Saudi involved in the airlines. the Saudi's are friends of no one.

Why did Aer Lingus eschew the offer by Michael O'Leary of Ryanair to take a stake and/or take over the airline?