Ryanair bids $950M for Aer Lingus

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LONDON (CNN) -- Low-cost airline Ryanair announced Monday it will launch a second attempt to take over Aer Lingus, the Irish national carrier.

The $950 million all-cash offer is approximately 25% above the Aer Lingus closing share price on Friday.

If Ryanair gains control of Aer Lingus, it would mark the first time one of Europe's "legacy" - or formerly state-owned - carriers falls under the control of a low-cost pioneer.

Ryanair founder Michael O'Leary has said in the past that his airline will grow from being Europe's largest low-cost carrier to become the region's biggest carrier full stop as it takes on the so-called legacy airlines. Many of those, including Italy's Alitalia, Greece's Olympic and Aer Lingus have wilted under the pressure of Europe's widely successful no-frills airlines.

Ryanair's bid two years ago failed after European regulators and the Irish government balked at the proposal.

But Ryanair argues that the aviation industry has changed vastly in the past two years. In a statement, Ryanair mentioned the unprecedented hike in fuel prices and the collapse of a number of carriers. It also said its proposal falls in line with the consolidation of the industry in Europe, including the proposed merger of rival British Airways with Spain's Iberia.

Ryanair claims the deal will actually create 1,000 jobs, as it would expand the Aer Lingus short-haul fleet. It also says Ireland will benefit from "one strong" national carrier that serves both short haul and long haul passengers. It proposes to keep the two airlines separate.

Loss-making Aer Lingus rejected the bid two years ago and has not yet commented on the new offer.

The Irish government owns just over 24% of Aer Lingus shares. Ryanair owns nearly 30%.