Ryanair bid for Aer Lingus faces review

Ryanair’s €694m takeover bid for Aer Lingus faces an extended review by European Union regulators, five years after they blocked an earlier takeover because of competition concerns.

Ryanair said the European Commission’s move forces its offer to lapse and that it plans to re-bid if the EU eventually approves the deal.

Ryanair, which owns 29.8% of Aer Lingus, in June renewed its pursuit of the rest of the company to bolster its operations in Ireland.