EU regulators to rule on Ryanair, Laudamotion deal by July 12

EU antitrust regulators will decide by July 12 whether to wave through Irish budget airline Ryanair’s bid for a 75% stake in the rebranded former Niki airline Laudamotion, a filing on the EC site showed Friday. Europe’s largest budget airline formally sought approval for the deal on Thursday as it moves to consolidate its foothold in Austria, a fast-growing hub for eastern European destinations. The EU competition enforcer can clear the deal with or without conditions or it can open a four-month investigation if it has serious concerns the deal may hurt competition.<br/>