Ryanair action moved to Commercial Court

The Irish Times reports that the Minister for Transport has moved to fast track a High Court proceeding by Ryanair by moving it to the Commercial Court. The action was lodged by the airline following the decision by the Minister for Transport to award the Knock - Dublin PSO route to Aer Arann. The route was originally awarded to CityJet following a tendering process and was due to commence in July. CityJet withdrew from the contract before the service was initiated, reportedly due to the hold up in the  merger with VLM which would have freed up aircraft.

Ryanair contended that the only way the Minister could have awarded the contract to Aer Arann would have been if identical conditions had applied. 

Ryanair says that a different contract was agreed by the Minister and Aer Arann from that agreed by the Minister and CityJet and wants a court order quashing the awarding of the contract to Aer Arann and instigating a new tendering process.

The hearing in the Commercial Court is due to be held on January 20 2009. Aer Arann have said that they will abide by the Court's decision.