Low-cost airline Ryanair has demanded that a letter demanding it repay millions of Euros in illegal subsidies be re-sent in English, rather than French.
The Walloon regional government and Charleroi airport have asked for the return of 4 million Euros following a decision by the European Commission (EC).
The EC ruled that incentives which the Stansted-based carrier had received for setting up a hub at the Belgian airport had constituted illegal state aid.
The Wallooon authorities had been given until September 15 to begin recovering the funds.
A letter was sent out recently requesting the budget carrier which isappealing against the EC ruling returned the money. Ryanair said it would dismiss any such request.
The airline said that it had received an 18-page letter late on Friday, September 10.
"Ryanair became aware of this letter on Monday September 13 morning and immediately wrote to the Walloon regional government requesting an official translation of this letter in English, in order to ensure that there are no ambiguities or misunderstandings in the text," it said in a statement.
"As soon as Ryanair receives this letter in English, we will respond immediately and will publish full details of this response," it added.
Published Friday October 1, 2004
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