1. In-depth investigation opened by the Commission to the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by Ryanair

    published on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 under Internal Market

    The European Commission has started a phase II (in-depth investigation) under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by the low cost carrier Ryanair. The European Institution believes that the takeover could lead to the elimination of actual and potential competition on a large number of European routes.

    The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation (phase II) under the EU Merger Regulation into the proposed acquisition of Aer Lingus by the low cost carrier Ryanair. The Commission's preliminary investigation into the proposed takeover, which was notified on 24 of July 2012, indicated potential competition concerns. Ryanair and Aer Lingus are the main operators out of Dublin airport. On a large number of European routes, mainly out of Ireland, the two airlines are each other's closest competitors and barriers to entry appear to be high. Many of these routes are currently only served by the two airlines. The takeover could therefore lead to the elimination of actual and potential competition on a large number of these routes.

    The Commission prohibited the first attempt by Ryanair to take over Aer Lingus in a decision adopted in 27 June 2007. The second attempt by Ryanair to take over Aer Lingus was notified to the Commission on 8 January 2009 and subsequently withdrawn. In comparison with the situation in 2007, when the Commission adopted its decision, the number of routes where both Ryanair and Aer Lingus operate has increased.

    The Commission now has 90 working days, until 14 January 2013, to take a decision on whether the proposed transaction would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA). The opening of this in-depth inquiry does not prejudge the result of the investigation.

Sponsored links

Current news from the European Union: Events, EU Law and EU Institutions activities

  • Go
  • Store

10ders Alerts

Provides SMEs with the most relevant information on public sector contracts. Now you can subscribe to our Tenders Alerts on Government contracts for only 192€/year.

Do not miss opportunities that your competitors might be following. Try it out for FREE during 7 days or if you'd like to know more please phone us:
+32 2 318 03 01

You will receive only relevant tenders to your product or service in the EU country you choose. Want to know more about Tenders Alerts?

Euroalert.net Sponsors

  1. Proyecto WEST-MoS
  2. Gateway S.C.S.

If you want to become a Euroalert.net sponsor email us at ads@euroalert.net.

Euroalert.net in your website

Do you want to display Euroalert.net contents on your organisation's website?

Register at Condelway to get our free EU News widget and our free EU Calls for Proposals widget.

We have subscription options from 30€/month to use Euroalert.net web services technology

Euroalert.net on Twitter

Euroalert.net by email

Every week you can receive a summary of EU information from Euroalert.net by email

Sponsored links

10ders Product Report

10ders Observatory brings you for only 35€ your customized Product Report with all this useful information:

  • How many contracts and for what value are awarded every year
  • The list of the companies wining the contracts
  • Authorities that are purchasing your product
  • The list of announced and awarded contracts

You are the one who knows the best how to analyse and get the most from this information, and 10ders Observatory can provide you the data big companies are using. Aren't you Trying?

Specially tailored to your product or service in the EU country you choose. Want to know more about Product Reports?

Sponsored links