Another bidder has expressed interest in buying TEAM Aer Lingus, according to industry sources. The Danish-owned FLS Aerospace which has operations in Stansted, Manchester and Gatwick is now being touted as a prospective bidder for the maintenance facility.

It is understood that the meeting scheduled to take place with the unions at TEAM has been deferred until Tuesday.

Allied Signals which was said to be interested in acquiring TEAM may now be out of the picture leaving only BF Goodrich.

However, there is mounting speculation that whatever final deal is done will entail Aer Lingus indemnifying the investor against the letters of guarantee which 1,200 of the 1,500 employees hold.