airberlin and Lufthansa win right to challenge Ryanair over alleged subsidies

Germany's Federal Court of Justice stated it has awarded Lufthansa and airberlin the right to pursue legal action over subsidies given to Ryanair (Reuters, 14-Feb-2011). The two German airlines allege that the subsidies came in the form of lower airport charges at Frankfurt Hahn and Hamburg Lubeck airports. The European Commission is also currently investigating allegations the Irish LCC enjoys subsidies at other German airports. Ryanair maintains it never sought or accepted state aid.