Talking of Air France, lawsuits and protectionism, this Press Release appeared on the EuroAirport (Basel/Mulhouse) website last week, and was also copied to easyJet’s german and French language websites…

EuroAirport statement concerning the judgement of the Administrative Court of Strasburg on 4 May 2006

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In line with the strategic objectives announced for 2004, EuroAirport published its new tariff regulations on 1st May 2004. These became applicable on 1st September 2004. On 5 July 2004, EuroAirport communicated that the airline company Air France had filed a claim with the Administrative Court of Strasburg to obtain the abolition of the new tariff regulations.

In its judgement of 4 May 2006, the Administrative Court of Strasburg has demanded the abolition of the incentive measures stipulated in the tariff regulations.

With regard to this first court ruling, EuroAirport issues the following statement.

EuroAirport management reconfirms that its tariff regulations are fair and based on solid foundations. EuroAirport has difficulty understanding the arguments advanced in the judgement which gives little consideration to the fact that EuroAirport’s tariff regulations have been ratified by both French and Swiss authorities. Furthermore, the judgement leaves room for interpretation and does not give proof of the prejudice suffered by the plaintiff. EuroAirport reserves itself the possibility to appeal.

Since the appeal is without overriding effect, EuroAirport will analyse possible ways of adapting its tariff regulations in order to reply to the demands of the judgement while endeavouring at the same time to preserve the attractiveness of the platform.

EuroAirport underlines that it modernized its tariff regulations at a time when Swissair went bankrupt and when passenger traffic for traditional airlines, including that of Air France, was in stagnation. The new tariff regulations have allowed return to growth. Since 2005, EuroAirport is once again able to offer to the populations of the region a wide range of destinations which meet customer demand and justify the important investments made to satisfy these needs.

In the first four months of 2006, passenger figures at EuroAirport have reached 1.1 million reflecting a growth of 30% in comparison with 2005. EuroAirport makes a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of the region and offers its inhabitants and visitors more than 75 direct destinations in scheduled and holiday flights within Europe and via intercontinental connections.

someone’s at it… :rolleyes: