In the dispute over aid to Frankfurt-Hahn airport has been dismissed Lufthansa. She was not able to sufficiently demonstrate that the aid affects their interests, is it for the justification from the General court of the European Union (Az: T-492/15). It comes to money, paid by the States of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse to 2008.
at the Time of the Hahn airport was still under the management of Fraport AG, the operator of the airport in Frankfurt am Main. But the two countries had shares. 2009 the region of Rhineland-Palatinate Fraport shares and 2017, the Chinese HNA Group sold. Hesse still holds 17.5 percent.
The European Commission had approved up to 2008 subsidies paid 2014. According to the decision of the EU Commission from 2014 supports the Hahn airport either were not state aid or with the EU state aid rules. In addition, previous contracts with Ryanair, as well as arrangements on airport charges would not contain any state aid. Against this decision, the Lufthansa complained. You turned against concessions to the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair at Hahn airport in the years 1999 to 2006.
However, Lufthansa had not demonstrated that she has lost through these measures, its own market share, or else economic disadvantages suffered, ruled the European court of first instance. This applies even if you accept that the aid was headed for the Frankfurt-Hahn airport on Ryanair. The action of the Lufthansa is therefore inadmissible. The Airline can appeal but still appeal to the European court of justice (ECJ).
