Airport must reveal Ryanair deal details

A PUBLICLY owned airport in the North has been ordered to disclose its secret deal with Ryanair, it emerged yesterday.

In a landmark case, the City of Derry Airport has been told to reveal its financial arrangements with Europe’s largest low-cost carrier. The ruling by Britain’s Information Tribunal follows a two-year fight by airport owners Derry City Council against a Freedom of Information request.

The decision is seen as precedent-setting and could have implications for British public bodies doing business with private enterprises.

Council chiefs refused to hand over details of how much Ryanair was paying for use of the ratepayer- funded airport when asked by a journalist in 2005.

In February last, the information commissioner ruled the details must be disclosed. The council fought the decision, but the Information Tribunal has dismissed the appeal and given the council 30 days from yesterday to disclose the deal.

It said Freedom of Information Act exemptions claimed by the council did not apply and disagreed the local authority would be vulnerable to a claim for breach of confidence.

The council can appeal the decision to the High Court on a point of law.