The UK Competition Commission has extended its timetable for the investigation of Ryanair's shareholding in Aer Lingus by eight weeks.
It said the statutory deadline for the completion of the investigation is now September 5, from the original deadline of July 11.
The extension will allow ''for full consideration and discussion of remedies,'' it added.
In its provisional findings published in May, the Commission said that Ryanair may be forced to sell at least part of its stake in Aer Lingus.
The commission concluded that the 29.8% stake in Aer Lingus gives Ryanair the ability to influence the commercial policy and strategy of the airline, its main competitor on routes between Ireland and the UK.
The commission said it has provisionally found that Ryanair's shareholding obstructs Aer Lingus's ability to merge or combine with another airline to build scale and achieve synergies to remain competitive.
The CC has also found that Ryanair's shareholding allows it to block special resolutions by Aer Lingus and to hinder its plans to issue shares and raise capital.
The stakeholding could also prevent Aer Lingus from disposing of its valuable slots at Heathrow airport, it added.
