The opposition of the Irish government to the bid of €748 million for Aer Lingus from Ryanair is weakening. The Irish government owns over 25% of the flag airline and has been opposed to the bid from Ryanair since 2006. A transport ministry spokeswoman said that they wouldn’t comment until a formal bid is submitted for Aer Lingus. On Thursday, Ryanair said they would publish a formal bid during the next 2 weeks.

Unnamed sources in the government were reported saying that there has been a change in attitude about the bid from 2 years ago. They said that it isn’t quite a 50-50 chance, but more of 35-65, which is an improvement to the 99-1 of before.

Ryanair already has a 30% stake in Aer Lingus and is offering €1.4 for every share of the airline they do not currently own, which is half of their original 2006 bid. Also on Thursday, Ryanair offered to recognize Aer Lingus unions, to give the government total control of the carrier’s valuable London Heathrow Airport landing spots, and to create about 1,000 jobs.

The board of Aer Lingus said they would fight in order to defend the independence of the company, and they added that they anticipate the investors will support them. More than 14% of Aer Lingus is owned by the workers, and the Sunday Independent has reported that Ryanair said they would attempt to persuade pilots into backing the deal.

Michael O’Leary, the Chief Executive of Ryanair, said he plans to keep the two carriers separate. He has characterized the offer as Aer Lingus’s lifeline, calling themselves a white knight. They are the government’s and Aer Lingus’s only solution to securing the future of the airline, he added.

Find out more about the airlines at: www.ryanair.com -or- www.aerlingus.com