Michael O'Leary Slams EC decision
Ryanair chief executive, Michael O'Leary, has accused the European Commission of meaninglessly interfering with the operation of the free market for air travel.
Mr O'Leary was reacting to the Commission's ruling that forces the airline to repay some of the subsidies it received to land at Charleroi airport in Belgium.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Mr O'Leary said the ruling was bizarre and a disaster for consumers, low fares airlines and publicly owned airports which he said can no longer compete with their privately owned competitors.
Mr O'Leary said Charleroi airport had been empty five years ago, when Ryanair negotiated what he said was an 'intelligent, low cost arrangement' which has made the airport profitable and saved travellers millions.
Ryanair is to appeal the ruling to the European Court of Justice.
Ruling 'balanced': EU Commission
Announcing the ruling earlier in Brussels, the EU Transport Commissioner, Loyola de Palacio, said Ryanair and the regional government which owned the airport had a secret agreement.
Some parts of the arrangement were found to be genuine regional development, but Ryanair will have to repay about €4m worth of subsidies which were found to be illegal.
Ms de Palacio said the decision was balanced, and would encourage the development of low-cost airlines by ensuring a level playing field.
Separately, the Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, called for a clear set of rules that would govern all deals between airlines and regional airports.
The Government is expected to push for the issue to be discussed at the next meeting of EU transport ministers on 12 March.
