Ryanair, the Irish airline, has renewed its interest in taking over Aer Lingus, its domestic rival, with a bid of $970m.

The figure is just half the amount it offered two years ago in an approach thwarted by European regulators.

The European Commission rejected Ryanair's 2006 offer on the grounds it would create a near-monopoly in European flights out of Dublin, the Irish capital.

However, analysts believe a recent spate of airline mergers means the chances of success are greater this time, even if a takeover would still prove highly contentious in Ireland.

Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, said the economic and regulatory environment had changed since the last bid.

He said: "The European competition authorities are going to be reviewing so many airline mergers over the next three, six, 12 months, it makes sense to us to revisit this thing now."

O'Leary said the takeover would create a fourth major European airline group after the creation of Air France-KLM, Lufthansa's purchase of Swiss and British Airways' planned tie-up with Iberia.

Ryanair, which has already bought 29.82 per cent of Aer Lingus shares at an average $3.15, said the all-cash offer at $1.77 represented a 28 per cent premium over the average closing price for Aer Lingus shares in the 30 days to November 28.

Aer Lingus' board rejected the bid on Monday.

In a statement, the airline said: "The board rejects this new offer and Aer Lingus shareholders are strongly advised to take no action in relation to the offer."

In London, shares in Aer Lingus ended the day 13.6 per cent higher at $1.60, below a session high of $1.71.

Ryanair's shares traded 4.8 per cent lower at $3.52.

The European commission declined to comment on the bid.