View Full Version : EU Probe into Charleroi
johnpilot
30th Sep 2003, 05:54
It is official, on the news tonight. Belgium's Walloon minister Kublan says that Charleroi and Ryanair have done nothing against the laws or against EU policy and their contract stands. The EU is no longer investigating the two parties as they are cleared of any wrong doing or illegal state aid transactions. The findings will be made public within the next two weeks in a detailed 300 page paper. Aviation analysts predict that Ryanair will now grow at rapid numbers as this landmark case sets a precedent for all future contracts signed, and seals the fate of future lawsuits against the airline as the local courts now have a guidance from the EU.
JP
:D
Can someone please explain the difference between this and the seemingly opposite Strasbourg decision.
SFI145
30th Sep 2003, 19:46
Yes - the Stasbourg decision was made by a French court.
virginblue
30th Sep 2003, 21:59
As far as I understand it, the Strasbourg decision was about the fact that a deal was offered to Ryanair exclusively AND drove out an incumbent from the market. If the folks at Charleroi did their homework, the deal with Ryanair was tailored to Ryanair's needs, but theoretically open to every airline wanting to do the same as Ryanair. Not sure if my interpretation is correct, though.
FlyLowCost
30th Sep 2003, 23:49
Yes, Virginblue your interpretation is correct.
The deal in SXB was only for FR, so BritAir was forced to pull out the route.
The deal in CRL is for everyone.
Same in HHN. Here for example Volareweb got the same deal as Ryanair to start routes to VCE, BDS and SXF.