Ryanair to bid again for Aer Lingus
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair said it planned to launch another bid for the Government-held stake in flag carrier Aer Lingus, should the European Commission clear its offer following a review.
On 29 August, Brussels decided to refer the Ryanair bid to see if it complied with EU competition rules. Concerns had been raised that Ryanair could acquire too dominant a position on many routes if it acquired a controlling stake in Aer Lingus.
The Irish Exporters’ Association has also raised concerns over the future of cargo services to the US if Ryanair takes over the routes. The low cost carrier does not currently carry cargo on any of its services and Ireland’s biotech industry in particular is alarmed at the prospect of the ‘no cargo’ rule being extended to transatlantic services.
