JetBlue Airways disinclined in Aer Lingus stake

US leading low-cost carrier JetBlue Airways recently announced that it is not interested in acquiring the Irish government’s stake in Aer Lingus.

Earlier, media reports indicated JetBlue Airways was holding negotiations with the Aer Lingus management. But, JetBlue Airways statement made lately has made it apparent that the airline is not interested or has shown intention of purchasing the Irish government’s shareholding in Aer Lingus.

Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Tourism Minister, has refuted media reports saying JetBlue Airways was interested in the government’s 25 percent stake in Aer Lingus.

The minister, however, made it clear that the government’s stake in Aer Lingus is included in a list of state assets which may be sold to private aviation industry players.

The Irish government has not yet disclosed the price for its stake. It wants to offload its stake to an appropriate buyer at the best possible price.

JetBlue Airways and Aer Lingus are bound by a sales agreement signed in April 2008. The agreement has allowed Aer Lingus passengers flying into Boston and New York to connect with JetBlue Airways flights services to 37 destinations in the United States.

JetBlue Airways is New York’s Hometown Airline, and operates out of its main hubs in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Orlando.