Ryanair plays down Marseilles probe into flight cancellations UPDATE

Ryanair plays down Marseilles probe into flight cancellations UPDATE

	Published : Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:16 By : Agencies Print this Story

LONDON (AFX) - Ryanair has played down claims it is being investigated by Marseilles prosecutors for failing to obtain authorisation for new routes between Marseilles and Morocco last November before offering tickets for sale.

Legal sources told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the low-cost airline is under investigation after authorities received some 40 complaints accusing the company of selling promotional tickets before getting the green light for the routes.

Last November, Ryanair postponed the flights after completion of an open skies agreement between the European Union and Morocco was delayed. The opening of the new routes was pushed back to December.

A spokesman for Ryanair dismissed any investigation as groundless and added all passengers were offered and received a full refund of their airfares, in accordance with EU regulations.

He added the company has received 'no contact' from any Marseilles prosecutor.

Ryanair operates at 18 French airports and last year opened its first French hub in Marseilles with routes to 14 destinations.

Earlier this month Ryanair filed a legal action in the Council of State, France's highest administrative court, against the government and a complaint to the European Commission challenging what the LCC called 'an unlawful labour decree' that forces foreign airlines to apply domestic labour laws when basing aircraft in France.

Ryanair said the regulation, which came into force on Nov 23, 2006, 'is contrary to European laws on free movement of labour and services and the freedom of establishment and is also contrary to the liberalised air transport market'.

newsdesk@afxnews.com

sjm/slm

The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.

AFX News and AFX Financial News Logo are registered trademarks of AFX News Limited