Report

Analysis of state aid to Ryanair airports

July 15, 2019

An analysis of all EU airports served by Ryanair has found that almost one-quarter of these airports are likely to be receiving state aid. Such state aid is helping drive the airline’s record emissions growth, potentially breaches EU state aid rules, and faces being ruled illegal as the European Commission begins a review of the guidelines covering state aid to airports and airlines.

Given the rapid growth in emissions from this sector, and in particular from Ryanair, which earlier this year was revealed to have become a Top 10 carbon emitter in Europe’s emission trading system, ranked next to coal fired plants, the Commission should act immediately and use its powers to end such state aid. In doing so, it should follow the precedent it set in 2010 when it ordered member states to wind down, and draft closure plans, for loss-making coal mines. When it comes to the climate, aviation is the new coal, and similar action is needed.

Related Articles

View All
Plane flying over pink skyline, under license from Canva Pro
Press Release

Airline emissions soar to pre-COVID levels as Europe fails to price their pollution

Emissions from European aviation have almost bounced back to 2019 levels, with flights within Europe even exceeding these, a new T&E study shows. The ...

Plane flying over clouds, image under license from Canva Pro
Publication

Europe’s 2024 airline emissions uncovered

Emissions from European aviation have almost bounced back to pre-COVID levels, and airlines are not currently paying for the true cost of their pollut...

Chapter 3.png
Press Release

Corporate travel reduced by a third on 2019 levels despite increased flying by Merck, Bosch and JPMorgan Chase

Business travel emissions of 239 global companies fell by 34% since 2019, but disproportionate flying by Merck, Bosch, JPMorgan Chase and other top po...