Irish aviation bid holds

A group backed by the Irish Aviation Authority is still in the race for Britain's air traffic control services. It is one of two still in discussions with the UK government, which is selling a 46 per cent stake in the National Air Traffic Control Services. But the government yesterday drew back from selecting a preferred bidder for the part-privatisation, which has been opposed by trade unions and by elements within the British Labour party. Owned by the State, the Irish Aviation Authority's has bid for the stake with eight airlines, including Virgin and British Airways.