11 March 2008: European regulators are to open another airport state-aid probe involving Irish budget carrier Ryanair, this time focusing on its agreement with Bratislava Airport in Slovakia.

The European Commission says that, following a complaint, it is to launch a formal investigation into an agreement covering the provision of airport services at Bratislava which, it is alleged, favours Ryanair.

The EC decision also requires the airport to submit a copy of the agreement to it, which it has so far refused to do. Without access to this document, and on the basis of the information provided by the complainant, the EC has doubts about its compatibility with EU rules on state aid. Ryanair has slammed the latest probe.