Ryanair finalising appeal against UK watchdog’s Aer Lingus stake decision

Ryanair will formally lodge its appeal against the ruling by Britain’s Competition Commission — for it to lower its near 30% stake in Aer Lingus to just 5% — in the coming weeks, with the airline hoping for a quick reversal.

Speaking after the airline’s AGM yesterday, CEO Michael O’Leary said the appeal is being finalised and will hopefully be heard quickly, “and this ludicrous order will be reversed”.

Some commentators feel, however, an upheld ruling could usher in a long appeals process through the British courts. The UK Competition watchdog took its initial decision, citing a potential “substantial lessening” of competition on some routes, something which Ryanair was quick to disregard.