24/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 24 January, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) heard the arguments put forward by the Irish airline, Aer Lingus, which is calling for its competitor, Ryanair to be prevented from exercising its voting rights in the stake it owns in Aer Lingus. This involves interim measures demanded by Aer Lingus, while awaiting the result of the main case in which Aer Lingus opposes the Commission's refusal to order Ryanair to relinquish its Aer Lingus shares (T-411/07 R). The Commission believes that although Ryanair is not authorised to buy out Aer Lingus, nothing prevents it from holding a minority share in the company. In the meantime, Ryanair went to the ECJ to oppose the Commission's decision rejecting its original demand to buy out its small rival. (C.D.)