23rd Jul 2014 11:53
LONDON (Alliance News) - Ryanair Holdings PLC Wednesday said it plans to appeal against the EU Commission's ruling that it should repay almost EUR10 million relating to state aid for several of its French regional airports.
The Commission found that the budget airline did not comply with EU state aid rules and had enjoyed "an undue advantage." It ordered Ryanair to repay EUR868,000 related to rebates and marketing arrangements negotiated at Augouleme airport in central France.
In a statement, the Commission said the airline should repay the money so as to "remove the distortion of competition." Similar findings at Pau Pyrenees airport required a repayment of EUR2.4 million, with EUR6.4 million repayable at Nimes airport, said the Commission.
However, Ryanair opposed the ruling, stating that "All of Ryanair's airport arrangements comply with the EU State aid rules and Ryanair has therefore instructed its lawyers to appeal these rulings to the extent they erroneously allege otherwise."
The Commission said it is continuing to investigate Austria's Klagenfurt airport where the airport services and market agreements "appeared to be excessively favourable to Ryanair and therefore could involve incompatible state aid."
The Commission found no problems, however, with three German regional airports. Ryanair Wednesday said it welcomed these positive findings.
Ryanair shares were quoted down 0.7% at 6.91 pence Wednesday afternoon.
By Anthony Tshibangu; [email protected]; @AnthonyAllNews
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