Legal challenge to Ryanair EU operating license

The European Network Airlines Association (ENAA), representing major carriers such as Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, has initiated legal action against Ryanair to revoke or suspend its European Union operating license. The ENAA alleges that Ryanair fails to comply with EU regulations requiring airlines to be majority-owned and effectively controlled by EU citizens or entities.

A central point of the dispute involves Ryanair’s shareholding structure; the ENAA cites reports that only 30% of the company’s shares are held by EU nationals. The association claims it sought intervention from aviation authorities for months without success, leading to the lawsuit in the Irish courts.

Ryanair has denied the allegations, maintaining that it fully complies with all ownership and control requirements. The airline argues that its non-EU shareholders do not possess voting rights and has characterized the legal challenge as an “artificial claim” intended to “limit competition and choice for air travel in the EU.”