Minister reminds Ryanair of Charleroi airport investment

Walloon minister André Antoine, in charge of airport policy, has reminded Ryanair of the "significant" investment made by the Region in Charleroi airport, he said in response to the low-cost airline’s threat to reduce its activity in Charleroi by as much 17% should the proposed regional tax of €3 per ticket be implemented. "Ryanair won’t have to pay anything," the minister told Belga. He noted that the airline itself applied a fee of €2.20 per ticket which, even added to the proposed €3 regional tax, would still be "very competitive compared with the €28 charged by Brussels-National airport". "Is it unacceptable to pay €29 instead of €26 for the lowest fares offered by Ryanair?" he asked, underlining the European recommendations on green taxes. While acknowledging the undisputable benefits of Ryanair’s activity at Charleroi airport, he nevertheless reminded Michael O'Leary’s company that Ryanair was  a client of the airport, not a shareholder.