Northern airport used €1.86m of public money to promote Ryanair

A PUBLICLY owned airport handed over at least £1.25 million (€1.86m) of ratepayers’ money to promote airline giant Ryanair, it was revealed yesterday.

The massive subvention by City of Derry Airport to Europe’s largest low-cost carrier was hidden in a secret deal.

Airport owner Derry City Council fought for two years against a Freedom of Information request to unveil its controversial arrangements with the airline.