Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Issues Affecting the Aviation Sector: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Willie Walsh:

I think the measure is that Michael O'Leary sold the shares as well and normally he is regarded, and I certainly regard him, as one of the best business people in the world. He did not do any better. In fact, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, got more guarantees than Mr. O'Leary did, but Deputy McNamara is right. In fact, he might remember that the slots Aer Lingus had when IAG required them did not include an early-morning departure out of Shannon. This was changed because clearly IAG has access to a lot of slots at Heathrow and was able to shuffle its slot portfolio to give a better departure time from Shannon into London, an early-morning departure which, from memory, proved to be particularly attractive and made a big difference to the profitability of the route. That remains the case with Aer Lingus as part of AIG. It has access to the slot pool that AIG holds through British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus at Heathrow and it can play around with them to make the most efficient use of the slots. Therefore, I do not think there is a particular risk. If business recovers - and I think it will - I am pretty sure there will be a Heathrow slot out of Shannon because, certainly from my experience, that was a very successful way of operating out of Shannon.

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