Ryanair's Bid for Justice Falls Flat: EU Court Dismisses Condor's Financial Aid Appeal
EU Court Rejects Ryanair's Lawsuit Over Aid Provided to Airline Competitor, Condor - EU Court Dismisses Ryanair's Objection to Coronavirus Aid Given to Condor Airlines
In a blow to budget airline giant, Ryanair, the General Court of the European Union has brushed aside its latest challenge against the EU Commission's approval of financial aid granted to Condor Flugdienst, a German airline. The court's judgment was announced on June 25, 2025.
Ryanair had accused the Commission of overlooking serious issues regarding the compatibility of the aid with the EU's internal market. The contested financial aid consisted of two loans with state guarantees totaling €400 million, which were approved in July 2021 to offset Condor's losses arising from pandemic-induced travel restrictions between March and December 2020.
The Court, however, wasn't swayed by Ryanair's arguments. They found that the budget airline had not provided adequate evidence to warrant a formal investigation into potential compatibility concerns.
This ruling follows a series of setbacks for Ryanair in its quest to challenge the EU Commission's earlier approvals of financial aid packages for Condor. Earlier legal actions, including those related to aid measures approved in 2020, were dismissed by the Court. A 2021 aid decision, covering the period from January to May 2021, also stood firm as no legal action was taken against it.
In essence:
- Ryanair's appeal against the 2021 COVID-19 financial aid approval for Condor was dismissed by the EU General Court on June 25, 2025.
- The Court found Ryanair's evidence for a formal investigation into the aid's compatibility with the internal market inconclusive.
- Previous Ryanair challenges to earlier aid approvals for Condor in 2020 were also rejected.
- The financial aid in question aimed to counteract pandemic-related losses suffered by Condor.
Although Ryanair has the option to appeal this decision to the Court of Justice of the EU, no further appeal outcome has been reported as of now. Whether they decide to pursue the case further remains to be seen.
- Despite Ryanair's persistent challenges, the EU General Court has consistently dismissed the airline's appeals against the EU Commission's approvals of financial aid packages for Condor, most recently on June 25, 2025, following Ryanair's appeal against the 2021 COVID-19 financial aid approval.
- In the latest judgment, the EU General Court found that Ryanair's evidence for a formal investigation into the aid's compatibility with the EU's internal market was inconclusive, thus dismissing the appeal.
- The contested financial aid, totaling €400 million, was provided to Condor to mitigate the losses incurred due to pandemic-induced travel restrictions between March and December 2020, as part of the industry's broader efforts to maintain business continuity and navigate the complex policy-and-legislation landscape in the face of exceptional circumstances.
