Ryanair’s plan to acquire Aer Lingus for €694 million is to be blocked by the EU competition watchdog according to the budget airline. The final decision is expected to be announced by the end of the month.

Ryanair has revealed that the commission intends to prohibit a bid for a second time after the failure of a similar bid in 2007.

Ryanair has also faced opposition from within government, which owns a 25 percent stake in the Aer Lingus, with a takeover bid in 2009 scrapped. The Irish transport minister, Leo Varadkar, has also opposed the new proposal.