Ryanair to pay Flybe to take Aer Lingus routes - source

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ryanair has offered rival Flybe 100 million euros ($136 million) to take some Aer Lingus routes off its hands, a source close to the deal said on Monday, as the European Commission prepares to decide on its 694-million-euro offer for the Irish airline.

Ryanair's latest concession to regulators follows EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia's comments to Reuters last week that Europe's top low-cost carrier has one more chance to convince him of the merits of the Aer Lingus deal.

Ryanair , which is making its third takeover attempt of Aer Lingus, needs to make concessions that would retain healthy competition in air transport from to and from Ireland.

"The 100 million euros is tied to Flybe's performance. If it over performs, Flybe will pay back Ryanair," the source said, adding Ryanair has also offered nine planes to Flybe .

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/ryanair-pay-flybe-aer-lingus-routes-source-221627490--finance.html