The States 25 per cent stake in Aer Lingus is included in the list of State assets recommended for sale as part of the bailout agreed with the EU-IMF troika. The list has been drawn up by an interdepartmental group which identified assets and commercial State companies that could be sold in addition to the minority stake in ESB, a sale already agreed with the EU Commission, ECB and IMF.

Read the full article from the Irish Times.

Abu Dhabis national carrier Etihad Airways increased passenger traffic on its Dublin route last year by 15 per cent, making it the 10th busiest route in its global network. Etihad said yesterday that it carried 214,733 passengers between Dublin and Abu Dhabi in 2011. This compared with 187,188 in the previous year.

Read the full article from the Irish Times.

The Minister for Transport is to engage with unions and potential investors before making a final decision on the future of Cork and Shannon airports. Leo Varadkar had initially signalled that a decision would be made early this year, following a recommendation to Cabinet.

Read the full article from the Irish Times.

Last week, tourism bosses were cautiously optimistic about the future for Irelands tourism sector. Will 2012 bring more visitors or more dashed hopes?

Read the full article from the Irish Times.

The guidebook gives a thumbs-up to Irelands gift for self-deprecation. Lets wallow in the mire, writes Donald Clarke in the Irish Times.

Read the full article here.

Flights through the countrys three main airports have fallen by as much as 36% since they reached their peak at the height of the boom, figures from the Irish Aviation Authority show.

Read the full article from the Irish Examiner.

Lawyer Pádraig Ó Ríordáin safely negotiated the joint Oireachtas committee meeting last week on his appointment as chairman of the Dublin Airport Authority. There was no mention of a potential conflict for the Arthur Cox partner in relation to the fact the firm is a legal adviser for Aer Lingus, the DAAs biggest customer.

Read the full article in the Irish Times.

Fáilte Ireland is targeting a 2 per cent to 7 per cent rise in tourist numbers this year following a 6 per cent rise last year. The tourism agency is also preparing for The Gathering, next year’s global Irish homecoming which is being billed as Ireland’s biggest ever tourism project.

Read the full article from the Irish Times.

The pub remains the number one attraction for visitors coming to Ireland, according to the latest Lonely Planet guide.  It is still the best place to discover what makes the country tick whether it be a quiet traditional pub with flagstone floors and a peat fire or a more modern bar with flashing lights and music.

Read the full article in today’s Irish Times.

Ireland West Airport in Knock has just had its busiest year, with passenger numbers jumping 11pc. Last year saw an increase of 65,000 passengers on the previous year and while there was a noted 7pc increase in passengers to the United Kingdom, the airport also recorded a 36pc jump in passengers heading to European sun resorts.

Read the full article from today’s Irish Independent.