Ryanair said today it planned to launch a wave of complaints against airlines and publicly-owned airports across Europe if it lost a landmark European Commission ruling this week.
On Tuesday, the Commission will decide whether the airline, which shocked investors last week by issuing its first profit warning, should repay millions of euros in subsidies it received at Belgian regional airport Charleroi.
The cut-price carrier has flourished in recent years by aggressively cutting ticket prices and flying to mainly secondary airports in Europe where charges are lower.
The airline is not expected to take an adverse ruling lightly.
According to a briefing document released today, Ryanair believes such an outcome would leave other carriers and airports exposed to the prospect of retrospective repayment claims too.
In a thinly-veiled threat described as its "bottom line", Ryanair warned it will make complaints against every airline and publicly-owned airport that either gave or received discounts.
"If there is an unacceptable decision, Ryanair will not only appeal it but has instructed its advisors to initiate state aid cases and complaints against every other airline flying into every state airport which offers concessions and discounts," the document stated.