Ryanair and Air France clash on subsidies

AIR France and Ryanair have clashed over subsidies after the French carrier accused its low-cost Irish rival of putting pressure on regional authorities to give unfair support as the price of using their airports.

Air France said it had complained to the European Commission about what it described as “open-ended subsidies” in the form of discounts, preferential treatment and marketing help from regional airports in violation of European rules. The Irish airline hit back, saying it had not received any such state aid whereas Air France had.

“We pay no attention to false claims from high-fares, fuel- surcharging airlines like Air France. They can’t compete with Ryanair so they complain instead. Ryanair is investing millions in regional French airport whereas Air France ignores them,” Ryanair spokesman Stephen McNamara said in an email response.