Trade groups fear loss of Heathrow slots under any takeover

Aer Lingus has the third highest number of landing slots at London's Heathrow airport, and those lucrative slots could be used for flights to and from other destinations if IAG's takeover bid is successful.

That has prompted worries that IAG, which already controls British Airways and Iberia, may end up cutting the number of direct flights between Heathrow and Ireland.

Trade groups are worried that such a move could damage Irish businesses who are focused on UK markets, and hurt Ireland's ability to attract business from the UK and further afield.

Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot said it was "vital that if the Government should proceed to sell its shares in Aer Lingus, it obtains a guarantee that Ireland's slots at London Heathrow are retained".

"Heathrow is a vital hub for Ireland, offering connectivity to key international markets across the globe. Given its strategic importance, we must maintain and secure access to Heathrow from all State Airports. The loss of these slots would have significant implications for foreign direct investment, regional economic growth, business tourism and tourism in general," Mr Talbot said.

His words were echoed by the head of the Irish Hotels Federation, Stephen McNally.

"The Heathrow slots are of critical strategic importance to Ireland and the long-term prospects of our national tourism product. Any agreement that fails to safeguard these slots for Irish routes would have serious long-term implications for Irish tourism and air connectivity into the country, and particularly the regions," he claimed.