Collins: Ryanair's presence has revitalised the region
16/11/2003 - 16:03:19Fianna Fáil is giving its backing to Ryanair in its battle with the European Commission to keep the subsidies it receives to fly into a regional airport in Belgium.
The EC is investigating whether Ryanair benefited unfairly from money paid to them by the local government to establish a hub at Charleroi, which is near Brussels.
Ryanair receives a 50% discount on landing charges at the airport but investigators believe a similar deal was never offered to other airlines.
Fianna Fáil MEP Gerard Collins says Ryanair's presence has revitalised the region.
