Ryanair was ordered during the week to repay €500,000 it received from the German government for establishing itself at Zweibrucken Airport.
The European Commission ruled that this payment constituted illegal state aid, however Ryanair has said that it will appeal the ruling. Ryanair stopped operating from Zweibrucken in 2009, after carrying around 50,000 passengers via the hub.
The Commission ruled that payments Ryanair received from four other European airports did not constitute illegal state aid.
Vice president of the Commission Joaquin Almunia said airlines had to pay the fair costs of operating in an airport and there should be a level playing field for all European hubs and carriers. He added, "If they pay less, then this amounts to a hidden subsidy which distorts competition between airlines".
Ryanair also announced during the week that its infamous cabin crew charity calendar will not be published for next year. CEO Michael O'Leary told Today FM "it was a great idea by the cabin crew. It genuinely did raise huge amounts of money for charity and we will struggle to replace it with something as good or as successful." A spokesman for the company said it was now finalising the charity options for 2015 which would be announced shortly.
