A European court has upheld a Ryanair challenge to €4.6 billion in state aid given to airlines KLM and TAP. The General Court of the European Union overturned EU Commission decisions to allow the Dutch give €3.4 billion to KLM, part of Air France KLM, and Portugal’s grant of €1.2 billion to TAP. Ryanair welcomed the ruling that the support given both its rivals breached EU law, which bans state aid where it distorts normal commercial competition. DecisionThe court pointed out that KLM’S sister company, Air France had already received €7 billion from the French government. It ruled as inadmissible the commission’s argument that this was only intended for Air France and would not benefit KLM.

Source: The Irish Times May 19, 2021 12:18 UTC