Ryanair case worries EU regions

The Commission is expected to rule on the controversial Ryanair case on 4 February 2004. The popular Irish low cost carrier stands accused of having received illegal state aid from the Belgian region of Wallonia for using the Charleroi airport.

AER, the Assocation of European Regions, has urged the Commission not to fine Ryanair. It fears that a negative ruling may affect regional airports that have received a boost in recent years from low cost carriers. Such regional airports have a big effect on regional development plans for small business and tourism. The EU ruling could damage cohesion in the EU, according to EAR. "Present and new routes planned by Ryanair and others carriers are direct connections between regions and not only between capitals and industrial centres," says Onno Hoes, head of AER regional aviation group.

The Danish regional airport at Aarhus, used by Ryanair, also expects to be affected by the ruling, if only indirectly. Director of the airport, Ole Paaske, says to Danish daily Berlingske Tidende, that the ruling may start a process that will lead to a clarification of the relationship between airports and operators. Following a complaint for the operator SAS, Danish authorities are investigating whether Aarhus airport has given illegal rebates to Ryanair.

Irish transport minister, Seamus Brennan, aired his concerns with the Commission last week, and also intends to raise the issue in the next EU Transport Ministers' Council.