Knock Airport is considering taking a legal challenge in Europe over the government’s decision to separate Shannon from the Dublin Airport Authority.
Speaking to the Irish Times – Knock’s CEO believes the decision to make Shannon debt free, while also making other incentives available in the region, amounts to illegal state aid and will result in a gross distortion of the market.
While Knock is privately owned, it has been grant-aided by the exchequer but this is due to cease after 2014.
The airport is looking to challenge the Shannon Airport plan before the European courts – However its believed that the task force set to up to advice the government on Shannon – said the plan did not breach EU state aid rules.