Ryanair EU investigation

European Union state aid regulators are investigating whether marketing deals between the Spanish authorities and Ryanair breach EU rules, the European Commission said last Wednesday.

The investigation by the Commission is the latest look into alleged aid granted by European governments seeking to attract airlines to regional airports.

The EU competition authority said it would examine the marketing agreements for Ryanair and other airlines serving Girona-Costa Brava airport to the north of Barcelona and Reus airport, following a complaint from a competitor last year.

"On the basis of the information at its disposal the Commission cannot exclude that the marketing agreements give the airlines and/or the airports involved an undue advantage vis-à-vis their competitors, and are thus incompatible with the internal market", the Commission said.

The two airports are operated by Aena, the major Spanish airport company, who also plan to purchase Luton. (See BTN 5 August). http://ec.europa.eu

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