EU blocks Ryanair’s third attempt to purchase Aer Lingus

EU anti-trust regulators have blocked a third bid by Ryanair to buy rival Aer Lingus, a ruling that Europe’s biggest low-cost airline called politically motivated and vowed to challenge in court.

Yesterday, the European Commission — which in 2007 vetoed Ryanair’s first takeover bid for Aer Lingus — said Ryanair had not offered sufficient concessions to allay fears about the combined company’s dominance or monopoly on 46 routes.

It said the €694m bid, which was opposed by the Government, could hurt competition and lead to more than 11m passengers paying higher prices for flights.