Ryanair last night said it had requested the European Commission to investigate "the inordinate, continuing delay by the Government in announcing any result" of the tender for the provision of air travel services to employees of the civil service and State enterprises.

The airline said the closing date for tender submissions was April 17th, but it had not yet received a reply. The Ryanair tender would save the taxpayer more than £2 million each year on the tariffs being charged by Aer Lingus, Air France and Sabena, according to the airline.