The European Commission has again extended the deadline for making a decision on Ryanair’s bid to buy Aer Lingus.
The commission was due to deliver its verdict on the takeover bid on February 27 but this has been delayed until March 6. The decision had already been delayed from its original deadline of January 2013.
Ryanair is reported to have made a series of new concessions, officially known as “remedies”, in an attempt to persuade competition officials to allow the takeover to go ahead.
The no-frills carrier has been in talks with IAG about selling some of Aer Lingus’ Heathrow slots to British Airways and also some regional routes from Dublin and aircraft to Flybe.
Flybe said in a statement: “Flybe confirms that it is in discussion with Ryanair about the possible transfer of a number of aircraft and operating routes as part of a package of concessions Ryanair has submitted to the European Commission.
“These discussions however, are non-binding and non-exclusive. Additionally, the discussions are also highly conditional given the status of Ryanair's offer, the uncertainty of the outcome of the commission's deliberations and the expected lead times around any implementation of the proposed remedies.”
Ryanair’s third bid to buy Aer Lingus values the Irish flag-carrier at €694 million which Aer Lingus’ board has said is too low and the Irish government, which also owns 25 per cent of Aer Lingus, has come out publicly against the move.