Flybe aids Ryanair's Aer Lingus bid

Airline Flybe boosted Ryanair’s hopes of a takeover of Aer Lingus today by agreeing a plan to fly 43 of the Irish carrier’s short-haul routes.

The proposal is part of Ryanair’s attempt to persuade the European Commission that its planned €694m takeover of Aer Lingus will not harm competition for Irish passengers.