16 Facts About Aer Lingus

1. On 30 April 2015 it was announced that Aer Lingus would become the Official Airline of the Irish Rugby Team.

2. In 1997, Aer Lingus announced that it was moving its North American headquarters to Melville, Town of Huntington on Long Island.

3. On 8 November 2011 Aer Lingus signed the contract with the Dublin Airport Authority for the surrender of the leasehold interest in the HOB Site.

4. On 9 January 2015, Aer Lingus rejected a second-bid from IAG, proposing a €2.40 per-share takeover.

5. On 18 July 2014, Aer Lingus said it had "been agreed" between the company and Mueller that he would step down as CEO and director in May 2015.

6. On 20 June 2012, Aer Lingus issued a press release stating that, having reviewed Ryanair's proposed offer, the company board rejected it and advised the company's shareholders not to take any action in relation to it.

7. On 2 December 2009, Aer Lingus announced that talks with its unions had broken down.

8. In January 2011, Aer Lingus announced a new daily service from Gatwick to Shannon starting at the end of March.

9. On 19 December 2008, Aer Lingus announced that it would open a base at Gatwick Airport.

10. Around this time Aer Lingus purchased a majority sharehold in the cargo airline Aer Turas, owner of some DC-8 freighter jets.

11. In 1977, Aer Lingus recruited its first female pilot, Grainne Cronin—the airline was the second in Europe to introduce female pilots.

12. In 1974, Aer Lingus unveiled a new livery which eliminated the word International from the fuselage titles.

13. On 6 March 1971, Aer Lingus took delivery of the first of two Boeing 747s for use on the transatlantic routes.

14. In 1963, Aer Lingus added Aviation Traders Carvairs to the fleet.

15. In 1956, Aer Lingus introduced a new, green-top livery with a white lightning flash down the windows and the Irish flag displayed on the fin.

16. The name Aer Lingus was proposed by Richard F O'Connor, who was County Cork Surveyor, as well as an aviation enthusiast.