Hello,
I really don't see why so many Irish people have jumped on the "we must keep the Heathrow slots" badwagon of late...
Firstly, there has been absolutely no statement to confirm that Aer Lingus would lose all of it's current landing slots into Heathrow. However, it seems obvious that they are the "jewl in the crown" and of significant interest to the airlines potential owners, so what if they did use these landing slots for BA or Iberia instead ?
Sure, Ireland needs regular air links to London, but there is something like five or six airports within the London area, do we really have to be able to fly specifically into Heathrow, a couple of times a day ? Personally, I think the answer is no.
As for suggestion of direct flights being terminated, between Cork or Shannon and London... it's simply a case of use it or lose it folks ! The airlines will run services as long as the demand is there, it's that simple.
I personally think we really need to take this opportunity to sell Aer Lingus. The state doesn't need a minority shareholding in an airline, but it does need the cash the sale of it's shares could bring in !