The Official Journal of the European Union has published on January 21st 2009, the announcement of a prior notification of concentration procedure concerning the Irish airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus II. Interested thirds parties are invited to send their observations by January 31st.

On January 8th 2009, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) Nº 139/2004 by which the undertaking Ryanair Holdings Plc, acquires within the meaning of Article 3.1 b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking Aer Lingus Group Plc, by way of public bid announced on December 15th 2008.

Main business activities of the concerned companies

• Ryanair Holding Plc (Public, NASDAQ:RYAAY): low cost airline operating point-to-point scheduled passenger air transport services in Europe.
• Aer Lingus Group Plc (Public, ISE:AERL): airline, formerly the Irish State-owned flag-carrier, operating point-to-point scheduled passenger air transport services worldwide.

On October 30th, 2006, the Commission already received a notification of a proposed concentration between the airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus. In that occasion the Commission  concluded that the concentration fell within the scope of the Merger Regulation and, even taking into account commitments offered by Ryanair on November 2006 as modified on December 14th, raised serious doubts as to its compatibility with the common market and with the EEA Agreement.

Third parties observation on porposed concentration

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. These observations must reach the Commission by January, 31st 2009.
 
Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5434 — Ryanair/Aer Lingus II, to the following address:

European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Merger Registry
J-70
B-1049 Brussels