Ryanair threatens pullout from Charleroi base

RYANAIR said that it may pull out of its base at Charleroi Airport in Brussels if there is an adverse judgement in a European Commission (EC) investigation into its contract with the airport.

The EC is investigating complaints that the airline received illegal subsidies from the Walloon regional authority, which owns the airport.

A report in yesterday's Financial Times suggested that the EC would take a "tough line" against Ryanair and would make the airline repay the subsidies.