Ryanair takes the European Commission to court

Ryanair, the low cost carrier, is suing the European Commission for not blocking alleged illegal aid worth £696m from the French state to Air France. The budget carrier says it has pushing the Commission to investigate the issue for nearly seven years claiming it is an abuse of competition rules.

The airline claims that it has decided to take the issue to the European Court of First Instance, which handles disputes, after the Commission failed to respond to its request

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary says: “We are calling on the Commission to start promoting competition and stop protecting flag carrier airlines who continue to receive unlawful state aid.”

It is also challenging the French government’s demand that the airline applies French working practices for its staff working in France.

Earlier this week, it accused budget carrier easyJet of being a “closet high fare airline” following its deal to sell flights through travel agencies.

It also reported a 24% increase in revenue from £889m to £1,089m for the six months leading to September 30.