Air France goes to the EU over Ryanair
12.03.2010
Air France and Ryanair have clashed over sudsidies which the French airline claims the Irish budget carrier has received from French regional and local airports.
In a complaint filed with the European Commission late last year, which was made public yesterday, Air France said Ryanair has obtained at least €660m a year in financial subsidies from airport authorities across Europe through measures such as reduced airport taxes or marketing aid.
Air France is claiming that such aid is contrary to EU law on regional aid as the measures are not temporary and do not decrease over time.
However, Ryanair has dismissed what it said were “false claims” from Air France.
“We pay no attention to false claims from high-fares, fuel-surcharging airlines like Air France," said the Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara.
“They can't compete with Ryanair so they complain instead. Ryanair is investing millions in regional French airports, whereas Air France ignores them,” he added.