Aer Lingus is expected to be privatised in the next 18 months, the airline's chief executive said today.
"Very much the agenda from the ownership, from the government ... is that there will be a privatisation of Aer Lingus, I believe in the next 18 months or so," said Dermot Mannion, who joined from Dubai's Emirates earlier this year.
The Government appointed AIB and UBS to advise on the size, type and timing of the privatisation following a decision in May to sell a majority stake in the carrier.
Mr Mannion said getting a privatisation out of the way would not only provide the equity necessary for Aer Lingus's explanation plans but would also put it in a stronger position to raise additional funds from the financial community.
"Financiers don't like uncertainity," he said following a speech in Dublin. "They don't like the prospect of a privatisation hanging out there."