IAG escalates takeover play for Aer Lingus

Willie Walsh, chief executive, IAG Picture: Bloomberg

British Airways owner IAG has retained Dublin stockbrokers Goodbody as its advisers as the airline seeks to escalate its takeover play for Aer Lingus, according to stock exchange filings.

The appointment has been interpreted by the markets as a sign that a third bid is imminent, which boosted Aer Lingus’s share price in trading last Friday.

The appointment of Goodbody also introduces to the bidding process the firm’s director of corporate broking, Joe ...