Ryanair has threatened to pull out of Charleroi airport if the European Commission rules that the airline's arrangement on landing charges with the Belgian regional airport is illegal.
At a press conference in Brussels today, Ryanair said it has learned that a draft report from the Commission indicated that "substantial parts" of Ryanair's arrangements at Brussels Charleroi will be found unlawful.
Ryanair admitted l that it did not have sight of the actual detail of the decision and it is responding to "feedback" received from a number of sources within the Commission.
Share in Ryanair fell 4.8 per cent to €6.40 on the Dublin market this morning after the company's statement.
Ryanair and the Walloon regional government which owns Charleroi airport signed an agreement in January under which the carrier pays landing fees 50 per cent below the official rate. If the Commssion decides this constitutes state aid, the arrangement will be deemed illegal.
Ryanair has already indicated that it will appeal any unfavourable decision to the European Court. Ryanair may also explore the possibility of privatising Charleroi.
If neither of these options are possible then Ryanair will be forced, temporarily, to close the base at Brussels Charleroi, while the appeal is pending, the airline warned.