Case SA.47867 | Marketing agreements between APFTE and Ryanair relating to Montpellier airport

Summary:

The European Commission announced on 4 July 2018 the opening of an in-depth investigation on whether a set of marketing agreements concluded between the Association for the Promotion of Touristic and Economic Flows (APFTE) and Ryanair regarding the airport of Montpellier and surrounding area are in line with EU state aid rules.

Further information:

Since 2010, the APFTE concluded various agreements with Ryanair, under which the air company received payments in exchange for promoting Montpellier and the surrounding area as a touristic destination on its website. The APFTE is an independent association, unrelated to the airport operator, and is funded almost entirely by regional and local public entities.

Reuters, 04.07.18: EU to investigate Ryanair deal with Montpellier airport https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1JU13C

Irish Times, 04.07.18: EU Commission investigating if Ryanair received illegal state aid https://www.irishtimes.com/business/transport-and-tourism/eu-commission-investigating-if-ryanair-received-illegal-state-aid-1.3554061

European Commission: Press Release, 04.07.18: Commission opens in-depth investigation into measures in favour of Ryanair at Montpellier airport in France http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-4363_en.htm

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