The company which was founded in 1971 also operates an airline.
Under current law, the department can review the fitness of new owners to operate an airline but not before they take control.
It was the Irish government's intention to operate a national airline between the two countries.
The airlines also sell their capacity to those firms not operating an airline.
China's regulators recently began allowing any company with at least three aircraft to operate an airline.
This led to airlines being operated at severe losses and/or liquidating.
Mr. Johnson plans to operate a new airline with those planes, employees and routes.
"You cannot operate an airline without pilots or machinists."
Since fuel makes up about 30 percent of the cost of operating an airline the operating savings will be significant.
Frank Lorenzo's bid to operate a new airline was sent to a judge for a review of his career in the airline industry.