Aer Lingus aims to ground Ryanair takeover attempts

The Commercial Court will deal next month with an action by Aer Lingus aimed at preventing Ryanair issuing another takeover bid for the national carrier in August.

Aer Lingus claims it has incurred €40 million costs in defending against Ryanair’s bids to date and faces incurring further costs as a result of the restriction imposed on its commercial activities due to such takeover attempts.

It is challenging a ruling by the Irish Takeover Panel to the effect Ryanair had to wait 12 months after its Aug 2012 takeover bid before it could make another bid.