Ryanair woos Irish govt, staff in Aer Lingus bid

* Offers government control over London Heathrow slots

* Pledges to guarantee trade unions

* Responds to concerns over competition

(Adds more details, analyst comment)

By Andras Gergely

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ryanair (RYA.I)(RYA.L) offered guarantees to trade unions and the Irish government on Thursday to try and win them over to its 750 million euro ($946.4 million) offer for loss-making flagship carrier Aer Lingus (AERL.I)(AERL.L).

Europe's biggest budget airline is trying to appeal directly to the government and employees, who own over 25 percent and 14 percent of the airline respectively, after Aer Lingus's board this week rejected the all-cash offer -- the second in as many years.

Ryanair said it would give the Irish government control over Aer Lingus's valuable landing slots at London Heathrow airport and restore the Shannon-Heathrow route.

"By giving watertight control over Aer Lingus' (Heathrow) slots, we effectively remove any need for the Irish government to retain a strategic shareholding," Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told a news conference.  Continued...