State aid and Ryanair.
 

It was reported in the Irish Times on Monday 15th that Sabena were set to sue over funding annually given to Ryanair by the Walloon regional government.The figure mentioned was 9.3 million IR.I don't know how true this but I would be interested to hear of any other "sweeteners" ppruners might be aware of at other airfields. ;) ;) ;)

In fact, it isn't a sweetner (as normally defined by day to day Belgian business ethics) - but is rather the standard discounts available to airlines prepared to start new routes. It's a combination of discounts on airport charges and shared advertising costs.

Incidentally, Aer Rianta now offers such deals for the first four years of a new route's operation.

Perhaps EI should sue FR for that as well! :eek: :rolleyes: :eek:

Guvnor RTFQ!!!

Two years ago when Knock tried to introduce a pax levy to offset the loss of revenue with the loss of duty free, RYR threatened to pull off the route. In the scrap that followed it emerged that Knock gave their grant from the government straight over to MOL under the guise of a marketing sub. Kerry also are under the same cosh and duly hand over a large sum, otherwise RYR would pull the route. Considering that they make a profit of 100m from 10m pax with "cheap fares", the spondulicks has to come from somewhere. How else could they afford to pay drivers filmstar wages. :p :eek: :D