EU objections to state aid
These objections to the theory and practice of state aid are at the heart of the "ever closer union" and, as such, apply equally to all aid from public bodies irrespective of the specific status of the state body involved.
So that fact that the thread is about cash from the UK exchequer is neither here nor there since all such subsidy is frowned upon due to its potential for distorting "the market."
My point, as before, is triple:
i) to highlight the theory
ii) to highlight how important, despite the theory, has been state aid to the current European airline industry
iii) to highlight the inconsistency with which judgements as to acceptability of subsidies have been delivered and subsequently monitored.