Aer Lingus, the flag carrier of Ireland, has turned down approaches to sell its precious London Heathrow slots notwithstanding the continuing pressure it is facing as a result of record high prices of fuel which have doubled over the last one year, according to the reports by the Irish Independent newspaper.

The bids, by the American airline companies Delta and Continental, were made shortly after the Open Skies deal between the EU and US came in to force in the month of March.

It is expected that airlines that are having good slots in famous airports are facing problems due to high prices and they are made to cancel the flights and routes, which results in their wasting their slots. However, showing a positive intent, Aer Lingus has turned down the bids for its slots though the airlines is facing acute problems due to sky-rocketing prices of fuel.

Aer Lingus' commercial director, Enda Corneille, said, "As the fourth largest holder of Heathrow slots, we've got approaches from everyone. Any airline with slots would have been approached. We have no plans to sell off or swap Heathrow slots - they are capital for the company".

It can be expected that in the near future, perhaps the company will have some plans or will think to start the flights from its vacant slots; however, the chances are still bleak.

The paper also claims that the Dublin-based carrier's Heathrow airport slots could be worth €750 million.