Ryanair bid ‘backed by 10 airlines’

Ryanair has confirmed that 10 airline groups — among them IAG, Virgin and CityJet — have shown interest in forming a part of its “remedy package”, aimed at winning EU approval for its €694m takeover bid for Aer Lingus.

The package relates to Ryanair’s proposals for the future of overlapping Ryanair/Aer Lingus routes from Ireland, where there is currently no third airline; and for increasing airline competition to and from Ireland in the event of the low-cost carrier being allowed to buy Aer Lingus.

Ryanair yesterday launched an expansion of the airline’s Dublin-Brussels service.