Ryanair may lose subsidy battle with Lufthansa and airberlin

Lufthansa and airberlin wants Ryanair to repay millions of euros in what is claimed to me illegal subsidies as Germany's Federal Court of Justice overturned judgments (10-Feb-2011) by the relevant regional and appeals courts, and ruled the fees may amount to subsidies in breach of EU competition rules (Reuters/AP, 10-Feb-2011). Ryanair argues that is has neither sought subsidies nor received any. Lufthansa stated: "We expect that it will become more difficult for Ryanair and smaller airports to profit from illegal subsidies and distort competition in the air travel industry. We consider the court's decision to be a success."