Airline would fight takeover rebuff

RYANAIR will launch a legal challenge if the European Commission blocks its bid for Aer Lingus or forces the budget carrier to sell its stake in the airline.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said he believed the Commission will rule against Ryanair and claimed the decision would be based solely on the Irish Government’s opposition to the deal.

The European Commission has been studying the competition aspects of the proposed takeover for nearly nine months.