EU blocks Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus

Ryanair’s takeover of Ireland’s national carrier Aer Lingus was blocked by the European Commission today as a threat to consumer choice and a recipe for higher fares.

EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said an inquiry had decided that a merger between the two leading airlines operating from Ireland would remove the existing “vigorous” competition between them and create a monopoly on the 35 routes they share.