Ryanair files complaint over Aer Lingus comments

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish airline Ryanair (RYA.I) said on Wednesday it had filed a complaint with the regulator over comments made by its rival Aer Lingus (AERL.I) which once again rejected the carrier's 750 million euros (673.8 million pound) bid.

The two airlines said on Wednesday they had held talks on Tuesday over Europe's biggest budget airline's bid.

"Aer Lingus explained to Ryanair at the meeting how the bid fundamentally undervalues the airline, its robust financial position, ignores the substantial competition issues and is therefore not capable of completion," Aer Lingus said.

Ryanair said it had filed a complaint with Ireland's Takeover Panel over Aer Lingus's comments in the latest spat between the two groups.

"The reality is that the new Ryanair offer is capable of completion, and Aer Lingus' claims to the contrary are false and in breach of takeover rules," Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said in a statement.

"As a result, Ryanair has made a formal complaint to the Takeover Panel in relation to these repeated breaches of the takeover rules."

There was minimal acceptance from Aer Lingus investors of an initial January 5 offer deadline, which Ryanair on Tuesday extended to February 13.

It has offered 1.40 euros a share for the former state airline, just half the price of a previous offer in 2006 which was blocked by the European Commission on competition grounds.

O'Leary, who has held talks with the Irish government and Aer Lingus employees -- the carrier's two other major shareholders -- has said he remained confident the offer would succeed.