Ryanair hit with €12m claim

Ryanair is being investigated in Italy for allegedly dodging around €12m of social security payments.

Prosecutors in Bergamo, near Milan, where the Ryanair-operated airport Orio al Serio is based, allege the no-frills airline avoided heavier taxation in Italy by paying lower pension fees in Ireland for staff flying in and out of Bergamo.

It is understood that the investigation into Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has been on going since Jun 2010 for his role as legal representative of the group.