IAG extends offer for Aer Lingus as final conditions ticked off

(Adds details about extended offer)

LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - British Airways-owner IAG's takeover of Aer Lingus (LSE: AERL.L - news) moved closer on Thursday as the U.S. regulator gave its approval and the Irish carrier's shareholders backed special resolutions linked to the deal.

Investors in Aer Lingus now have until 1200 GMT, July 30, to accept IAG's 1.3-billion-euro ($1.4 billion) offer, after IAG extended the deadline.

IAG has already won the backing of the two biggest Aer Lingus shareholders, the Irish government and Ryanair, and must wait to see whether shareholder acceptance meets the 90-percent threshold, which will spell the conclusion of the eight-month takeover process.

European competition officials approved the takeover on Tuesday.

($1 = 0.9195 euros) (Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Pravin Char and Mark Potter)