An Air Berlin sign is seen at an Air Berlin storage hall in Berlin, Germany, August 15, 2017. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany on Wednesday rejected accusations by low-cost airline Ryanair RYA.I that Air Berlin's AB1.DE filing for insolvency protection was aimed at preparing the German carrier for a takeover by Lufthansa LHAG.DE.

An economy ministry spokeswoman also said a bridging loan of 150 million euros ($175.5 million) the government has granted Air Berlin did not breach anti-trust rules.

“I reject the accusation by Ryanair today that it was a staged insolvency application,” the spokeswoman said. “We assume that the loan is conform with the law”.