Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has paid back €4 million ($5.1 million) to Belgium's Walloon regional government, as ordered by the European Union. The European Commission ruled that the payments from the regional government, which owns Brussels Charleroi airport, constituted a hidden subsidy. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary says that the cash will be held in escrow until the European Court of Justice has considered Ryanair's appeal. The airline has threatened to close its operation at Charleroi if the court upholds the ruling.
Source: Flight International
