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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ryanair in EU probe on Aer Lingus | Ryanair in EU probe on Aer Lingus |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The European Commission is launching an investigation into Ryanair's bid for Ireland's national airline, Aer Lingus. | The European Commission is launching an investigation into Ryanair's bid for Ireland's national airline, Aer Lingus. |
| The deal would "raise serious competition concerns" for air passengers, said the Commission. | The deal would "raise serious competition concerns" for air passengers, said the Commission. |
| It might limit consumer choice and prompt higher fares, it said, echoing Aer Lingus, which has long opposed the 1.48bn euro ($1.9bn; £1bn) deal. | It might limit consumer choice and prompt higher fares, it said, echoing Aer Lingus, which has long opposed the 1.48bn euro ($1.9bn; £1bn) deal. |
| Ryanair's earlier offer has lapsed but the airline says it will make a new bid if the Commission okays the deal. | |
| Deadline | Deadline |
| Initial measures proposed by Ryanair to counter concerns were inadequate, said the Commission. | Initial measures proposed by Ryanair to counter concerns were inadequate, said the Commission. |
| Based on takeover rules, all acceptances of the offer received to date become void effective immediately. | Based on takeover rules, all acceptances of the offer received to date become void effective immediately. |
| But while Ryanair expressed its disappointment by the decision, it said it was still "committed" to buying Aer Lingus. | But while Ryanair expressed its disappointment by the decision, it said it was still "committed" to buying Aer Lingus. |
| Ryanair, which recently increased its stake in Aer Lingus to 25%, defendined its bid saying it would lead to lower Aer Lingus fares and fuel surcharges, maintain Aer Lingus as a separate stand alone airline and retain its brand. | Ryanair, which recently increased its stake in Aer Lingus to 25%, defendined its bid saying it would lead to lower Aer Lingus fares and fuel surcharges, maintain Aer Lingus as a separate stand alone airline and retain its brand. |
| The Commission has extended the deadline for a decision to be reached by several months, to 11 May from December 20. | The Commission has extended the deadline for a decision to be reached by several months, to 11 May from December 20. |
| The Irish government, which holds some 25% of Aer Lingus, has stated it would not sell its share. The government has voiced concerns over the impact such a deal could have on Aer Lingus jobs. | The Irish government, which holds some 25% of Aer Lingus, has stated it would not sell its share. The government has voiced concerns over the impact such a deal could have on Aer Lingus jobs. |
| It and other shareholders have said the offer undervalues the firm. | It and other shareholders have said the offer undervalues the firm. |
| Together Aer Lingus and Ryanair operate most flights in and out of Ireland. | Together Aer Lingus and Ryanair operate most flights in and out of Ireland. |