Aer Lingus last night said that it did not expect to suffer any consequences from the EU Commission's ruling against the Ryanair/Charleroi Airport deal.

In a statement, the State airline pointed out that the EU Commission investigation was primarily focused on arrangements between Ryanair and Charleroi Airport.

"As Aer Lingus does not provide services to this airport, the specific ruling should have no direct impact on Aer Lingus," it said.

It was responding to claims by Ryanair finance director Mr Michael Cawley that a commission ruling requiring Ryanair to repay money to Charleroi would mean that Aer Lingus would have to repay discounts it has received from Aer Rianta for new routes it has introduced out of this country.

In the weeks following the ruling, which is expected on Tuesday, Transport Commissioner Ms Loyola de Palacio is due to publish guidelines on airport charges and incentives. Aer Lingus said it would study these guidelines once they were available.

It added that of 30 new routes launched out of this country in the last two years, just 11 qualified for discounts.

An Aer Rianta spokesman said that both the Competition Authority and the EU Commission had reviewed its discount schemes. He added that the airports authority had acted on any suggestions and recommendations made by Brussels.

The spokesman told The Irish Times that its discount schemes were completely transparent, could be accessed from its website and available to all carriers operating out of its airports.