RYAAY Ryanair Holdings PLC

By Anthony O. Goriainoff

Ryanair Holdings PLC (RYA.LN) Chief Executive Michael O'Leary is calling on air-passenger duty to be reduced for all airlines and passengers that use U.K. regional airports, following the British government's decision to allow troubled budget airline Flybe to delay payments of the tax.

Mr. O'Leary said in a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, that the decision was a breach of state-aid rules and that Flybe wasn't "a viable business with genuine short-term difficulties."

In a letter sent earlier in the month, the Ryanair chief threatened legal action over the government's intentions to rescue Flybe if Mr. Javid didn't disclose what support was being given to the regional airline.

Mr. O'Leary reiterated his calls for releasing the details of the bailout on Tuesday.

Flybe said earlier this year that it had received support from the U.K. government, but didn't provide any further details on the rescue package.

Reports had indicated that the airline--which was bought out by a consortium including Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB.LN) and Virgin Atlantic last March--said that Flybe needed extra funds in the face of mounting losses.

Shares in Ryanair at 1610 GMT were up 0.9% at EUR14.83.

Write to Anthony O. Goriainoff at anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 28, 2020 11:29 ET (16:29 GMT)

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