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IAG, which also owns Iberia and Vueling, is close to completing its €1.36bn (£951m) deal to take over the Irish flag carrier, having received the green light from the European Commission earlier this week. The US backing also was a condition of the offer.

Ryanair’s own attempts to acquire Aer Lingus were blocked by European regulators and it has since been fighting a United Kingdom competition ruling under which it would have to sell its stake down to below 5%.

The Irish Government, which owned 25% of Aer Lingus, accepted IAG’s offer in May.