Ryanair today welcomed the European Commission’s report on the state of Europe’s airline industry.
The company said it finally nailed down that no state aid will be given to bail out inefficient flag carrier airlines.
Ryanair yesterday confirmed it had made a formal complaint the Commission about aid to Sabena airlines. However the case is not expected to be processed for some time.
EasyJet also welcomed the European Commission's report which it said would to open up airport take-off and landing slots for bidding.
Europe's big airlines had hoped that they would be able to waive the "use it or lose it" rule which forces an airline to hand-over slots if they are not used.
Under the EU ruling, slots will only be protected until the end of this month, before being opened up for bidding.
Any slots remaining unused, or operating as less than 80% capacity, will be open for bidding from October 26.
Low-cost carriers such as easyJet will be able to bid for highly-prized slots for Winter 2002.
EasyJet chief executive Mr Ray Webster says: "The European Commission created the framework to allow competition in the form of the low-cost airlines, such as easyJet, to flourish."
Additional reporting by PA
