Ryanair denies its Aer Lingus shareholding is a ‘poison pill’

RYANAIR has hit back at claims from Aer Lingus that its stake in the airline is a poison pill.

Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Mueller said Ryanair’s near 30% stake in the former state airline is deterring other airlines from taking a stake in the business.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said Mr Mueller’s claims are rubbish. He said that since Ryanair owns 29.9% of Aer Lingus, that leaves over 70% for any other potential alliance or investor.