Ryanair probed on Rochelle aid

Ryanair’s agreements with several European airports is to come under further scrutiny after the European Commission announced yesterday it had opened an in-depth investigation into potential state aid at La Rochelle airport in France.

Officials in Brussels said it was examining whether financial arrangements between public authorities and the airport, as well as rebates and marketing agreements with airlines using La Rochelle, are in compliance with EU rules on state aid.

The investigation will examine whether such agreements, which include discounts on airport charges for new routes, constitute an unfair economic advantage to some airlines.