Ryanair To Appeal Landmark UK Ruling on Aer Lingus Stake
The UK Competition Commission has ordered Ryanair to reduce its stake in Aer Lingus to 5 percent, arguing that its current 29.8-percent holding has allowed it to exert undue influence over its competitor. (Photo: Airbus)
The UK Competition Commission has ordered Ryanair to reduce its stake in Aer Lingus to 5 percent, arguing that its current 29.8-percent holding has allowed it to exert undue influence over its competitor. (Photo: Airbus)

Low-cost carrier Ryanair has said it will appeal the UK Competition Commission’s August 28 ruling that it must reduce its holding in Ireland’s Aer Lingus from 29.8 percent to 5 percent. The British anti-trust regulator ruled that Ryanair’s position as the largest shareholder in Aer Lingus “had led or may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition between the airlines on routes between Great Britain and Ireland.” The decision follows last year’s European Commission ruling that blocked Ryanair’s third attempt at acquiring full control of Aer Lingus.