Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Aer Lingus has rejected a takeover bid by British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG), the Irish flag carrier confirmed on Thursday. In a statement, Aer Lingus said it received a “preliminary, highly conditional and nonbinding approach from IAG” on December 14, and that it rejected the bid on December 16.

 


“The board has reviewed the proposal and believes it fundamentally undervalues Aer Lingus and its attractive prospects,” the statement read.

 


Aer Lingus said it issued the statement in reaction to “media speculation” and an confirmation by IAG on Thursday that it considered a possible offer for the Irish airline.

 


Shares in Aer Lingus rose by more than 20 percent on Thursday after the Financial Times first reported on the possible takeover effort.

 


&nbsp;“International Consolidated Airlines Group notes the recent movement in the share price of Aer Lingus and confirms it submitted a proposal to make an offer for the company, which has been rejected by the board of Aer Lingus,” said IAG in its own statement.

 


Long considered a potential takeover target of IAG, Aer Lingus controls a substantial number of coveted slots at congested London Heathrow Airport. It also has seen its financial fortunes improve lately, to the point where last month it increased its profit forecast for the year amid a recovery in the Irish economy and increases in long-haul traffic. Last year, the European Commission obliged rival carrier <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2013-09-02/ryanair-appeal-landmark-uk-ruling-aer-lingus-stake">Ryanair</a> to reduce its stake in Aer Lingus from 29.8 percent to 5 percent, arguing that the holding was anti-competitive.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Aer Lingus Rejects Takeover Bid by IAG

Says offer "fundamentally undervalues" the Irish flag carrier

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Archer plans demo flight at 2025 World Expo in Osaka

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New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

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News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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