Sir, – I write to commend Una Mullally's article, "If we sell Aer Lingus, don't forget; when it's gone, its gone" (Opinion & Analysis, March 2nd).
Minimal economic analysis of the takeover has been supplied to members of the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
Like Ms Mullally, we should think for the long term. If we sell Aer Lingus to British Airways we risk the same neglect as now experienced by Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester and Birmingham, which have no British Airways services on the north Atlantic. This contrasts with the Aer Lingus record on the same routes at Dublin and Shannon. The BA takeover of Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow increases the concentration ratio thus placing the slots at increased risk. It will take some time before analysis replaces advocacy in the Aer Lingus debate. It will be well worth the wait. – Yours, etc,
Senator SEAN D BARRETT,
Leinster House,Dublin 2.