Airline unable to change bid rules

Aer Lingus has lost its High Court attempt to prevent Ryanair issuing another takeover bid for it until February of next year.

Aer Lingus, which says it has spent €40m defending Ryanair’s two previous unsuccessful bids, challenged a May 2013 ruling by the Irish Takeover Panel which meant Ryanair had only to wait 12 months after its unsuccessful Aug 2012 takeover bid before it could make another bid.

Aer Lingus said it was being hampered due to restrictions imposed by such takeover attempts.