Company Watch - Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus's largest union, the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union, served protective notice of industrial action that will become effective if no agreement is reached on pensions, job security and employee shareholding ahead of the airline's privatization. SIPTU pledged to continue working during the Easter travel period ending in two weeks. Union members at the carrier supported industrial action in a vote last week. Apr 7, 2006

Ireland approves Aer Lingus privatization. The Irish government on Tuesday decided to sell off of most of Aer Lingus through an IPO nearly a decade after it first announced its intention to privatize the carrier, but said it will retain a stake of "at least 25.1%. ""The transaction is taking place in order to give Aer Lingus both the commercial flexibility and the financial muscle to compete and succeed in the global marketplace," Transport Minister Martin Cullen said in a statement. Apr 6, 2006

Aer Lingus commenced thrice-weekly Dublin-Dubai service on March 28, its first non-US long-haul flight. Passengers can reach an additional 21 destinations from Dubai through a partnership with Emirates. The carrier said it expects more than 70,000 passengers on the route in the first year. Apr 4, 2006

Aer Lingus employees represented by the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union voted in favor of industrial action last week by a 94% margin, anticipating the impending privatization of the carrier. The government's Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport will hold its first hearing on the proposed sale Thursday. "We will now seek sanction for industrial action from our National Executive Council, following which it is our intention to serve notice on the airline to be effected in the event of any unilateral action by them," SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said. Apr 4, 2006