Ryanair hits out at Commission's briefing

Ryanair has criticised the EU Commission's Transport Directorate for giving an off the record briefing to journalists in Dublin today.

The budget carrier, said the off the record briefing may have a "prejudicial" effect on tomorrow’s long awaited ruling on the legality of subsidies it received at Charleroi airport.

"This off-the-record press conference shows that the Commission is aware of the negative impact of this decision on European consumers and the development of the low fares airlines at under-utilised regional airports throughout Europe," a Ryanair spokesman said.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't be going to such lengths to privately brief and leak details out before the full Commission has had the opportunity to review the facts and consider the wider implications of this case," he added.

Ryanair received a 50% discount on standard landing charges at Charleroi and it is expected the European Commission tomorrow will rule that this arrangement and how it was agreed was illegal, with the airline having to repay between €4m and €10m of the subsidies.

The decision by the Commission will deal specifically with Charleroi and Ryanair but it is likely to form the basis of future rules governing how publicly owned airports offer incentives to attract airlines.