Aer Lingus bid: timeline

September 27, 2006: Ryanair starts to acquire a substantial number of shares in Aer Lingus.

**October 4, 2006:** Ryanair's stake in Aer Lingus rises to 16 per cent.

**October 5, 2006:** Ryanair increases its stake in Aer Lingus to 19.6 per cent before launching its first bid to buy the airline.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary says: "Without Ryanair, Aer Lingus will continue to be a small regional European airline which, because of its ...