Ryanair, Europe's leading low-cost airline, appears to have signalled an end (for now, at least) to its attempt to acquire Irish scheduled airline Aer Lingus, with the bid stalling on price.

In the document to Aer Lingus shareholders Ryanair Ceo Michael O'Leary has stated that the low-cost carrier is not prepared to pay any more than E.280 a share for Aer Lingus, in which Ryanair has since built up a 20% share.
While this bid now looks to have stalled, Aer Lingus is clearly unhappy that while Ryanair does not have enough shares for a seat on the Board, it does now have a major shareholder (and competitor) that will benefit materially from any improvement in its business and which is certain to be a major critic if the airline does not perform well in future.