Aer Lingus : 15 Jul 15 - Aer Lingus response to decision by UK Competition Appeal Tribunal

Dublin & London, 15 July 2015: Aer Lingus Group plc ("Aer Lingus") notes today's judgment by the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal dismissing Ryanair's challenge to the decision of the Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") which confirmed that there has been no material change in circumstances or special reason for it not to implement the findings of its Final Report of 28th August 2013 in which it concluded that Ryanair must reduce its 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus to 5%.

This follows yesterday's decision by the UK Supreme Court refusing Ryanair's application for permission to appeal against the Court of Appeal's judgment of 12 February 2015. That judgment had upheld the findings of the CMA's Final Report.

For further information please visit www.aerlingus.com or contact:

The directors of Aer Lingus Group plc accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement relating to Aer Lingus, the Aer Lingus Group, the directors of Aer Lingus and members of their immediate families, related trusts and persons connected with them. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of Aer Lingus (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in or into certain jurisdictions may restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of this announcement and all other announcements relating to the combination are not being, and must not be, released, published, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any restricted jurisdiction. Persons receiving such announcements (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should observe these restrictions. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies involved in the combination disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violations of any such restrictions by any person.

1

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules, if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Aer Lingus, all "dealings" in any "relevant securities" of Aer Lingus (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3:30 p.m. (Irish time) on the "business day" following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the Scheme becomes effective or on which the "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of any agreement either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Aer Lingus, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, all "dealings" in "relevant securities" of Aer Lingus by IAG or "relevant securities" of IAG by Aer Lingus, or by any person "acting in concert" with either of them must also be disclosed by no later than 12 noon (Irish time) on the "business day" following the date of the relevant transaction.
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website.
If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel on telephone number +353 1 678 9020; fax number +353 1 678 9289.

2

distributed by