Ryanair bid hits Aer Lingus profits

Spending tens of millions of euro fighting Ryanair’s takeover bids is hitting Aer Lingus’s profits and resulting in a lower dividend for shareholders, according to Aer Lingus chief executive Christoph Müller

Pre-tax profits at Aer Lingus were more than halved as the airline continued to fight against a takeover attempt by Ryanair. It did boost its full-year dividend by 25% (1c) to 4c a share.

In defence costs alone, the takeover attempt by Ryanair has cost Aer Lingus just short of €10m this year.