DUBLIN, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Irish carrier Aer Lingus plans to open a base at London Gatwick airport early next year as it combats a hostile takeover offer from Ryanair, the Irish Times newspaper reported on Friday.
The newspaper, which cited no sources, said Aer Lingus was also expected to restore the Shannon-to-Heathrow link it scrapped a year ago.
Aer Lingus will operate short-haul routes to seven destinations in Europe -- including Malaga, Munich and Zurich -- from Gatwick, which would be its first non-Irish hub.
Ryanair officially launched its attempt to take over Aer Lingus on Monday by writing to its smaller rival's shareholders, asking them to accept a 750 million euro ($1.05 billion) bid despite the rejection by Aer Lingus's board and management.
Europe's biggest budget airline, which already owns almost 30 percent of Aer Lingus after a previous takeover attempt, has said other investors should vote in favour of a creation of a united Irish airline by Jan 5.
Ryanair, whose previous bid in 2006 was blocked by the European Commission on competition grounds, hopes the recent wave of consolidation in the sector will persuade the EU to allow a takeover this time.
(editing by John Stonestreet) Keywords: AERLINGUS/ (Reporting by Carmel Crimmins; carmel.crimmins@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: carmel.crimmins.reuters.com@reuters.net; +353 1 500 1529) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
The newspaper, which cited no sources, said Aer Lingus was also expected to restore the Shannon-to-Heathrow link it scrapped a year ago.
Aer Lingus will operate short-haul routes to seven destinations in Europe -- including Malaga, Munich and Zurich -- from Gatwick, which would be its first non-Irish hub.
Ryanair officially launched its attempt to take over Aer Lingus on Monday by writing to its smaller rival's shareholders, asking them to accept a 750 million euro ($1.05 billion) bid despite the rejection by Aer Lingus's board and management.
Europe's biggest budget airline, which already owns almost 30 percent of Aer Lingus after a previous takeover attempt, has said other investors should vote in favour of a creation of a united Irish airline by Jan 5.
Ryanair, whose previous bid in 2006 was blocked by the European Commission on competition grounds, hopes the recent wave of consolidation in the sector will persuade the EU to allow a takeover this time.
(editing by John Stonestreet) Keywords: AERLINGUS/ (Reporting by Carmel Crimmins; carmel.crimmins@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: carmel.crimmins.reuters.com@reuters.net; +353 1 500 1529) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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