Ryanair has presented a dossier of documents to the European Commission designed to prove the legitimacy of the airline's financial relationship with Charleroi Airport near Brussels.
The submission came several days before the Commission closed the public consultation aspect of its investigation into arrangements at Charleroi and follows a meeting between Ryanair chief executive Mr Michael O'Leary and the Transport Commissioner, Ms Loyola de Palacio, earlier this week.
Mr O'Leary said at that time that Ryanair could provide documentary evidence that the arrangements it enjoyed at Charleroi had also been open to other airlines.
The Commission initiated a formal inquiry into arrangements at Charleroi just before Christmas on the basis that Ryanair could have benefited from illegal state aid when establishing its hub there.
Ryanair representatives were unavailable to discuss the matter yesterday.
A spokesman for Ms de Palacio said the Commission would not examine any documents received until after the public consultation on the issue closed on February 25th. Relevant information will then be sent to the Belgian authorities, who will be given a month to respond.
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