Aer Lingus board backs IAG bid

British Airways’ owner, International Airlines Group, looks to have won its battle to buy Aer Lingus, after the Irish carrier’s board recommended a sweetened €1.36bn (£1bn) takeover bid.

The carrier still needs clearance from the Irish government, which owns a quarter of Aer Lingus, and competition authorities. Willie Walsh, boss of IAG, said the carrier would be run “as a separate business with its own brand, management and operations, continuing to provide connectivity to Ireland.”

But IAG is expected to use some of its slots at Heathrow to launch new routes to emerging markets.