Ryanair said yesterday it may have to withdraw its flights from Strasbourg airport unless it can quickly overturn a recent French court ruling that financial aid granted to the airline was illegal, writes Jamie Smyth.
The company's chief executive, Mr Michael O'Leary, said Ryanair, the airport and the Bas-Rhin Chamber of Commerce were currently discussing how to abide by the French court order.
He said the only possible solution was to charge French visitors to Strasbourg significantly higher charges, or alternatively to withdraw from the route until an appeal court can overturn the decision. "We cannot renegotiate the agreement, as to do so would be an admittance that there was something in the original agreement that constituted state aid," said Mr O'Leary.
Last week a French court ruled that financial aid granted by Strasbourg Chamber of Commerce to Ryanair to help it set up its London to Strasbourg service last year was illegal.
The court challenge was brought by Brit Air, a subsidiary of French national carrier Air France, which cancelled its London-Strasbourg link after Ryanair began flying from the city. It insisted state aid distorted competition.
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