Ryanair to fight Aer Lingus block

Ryanair is to appeal against the European Commission's decision to block its proposed bid for Aer Lingus.

Joaquin Almunia, the Competition Commissioner, said: "For [passengers], the acquisition of Aer Lingus by Ryanair would have most likely led to higher fares." But Ryanair, which owns nearly 30 per cent of Aer Lingus, said the move was "motivated by narrow political interests rather than competition concerns".