Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) successfully represented Ryanair before the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (“TAR Lazio”) in a dispute with the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (“ENAC”) regarding the reduction of its flights at Rome’s Ciampino airport.
By accepting WFW’s arguments, TAR Lazio confirmed that ENAC’s measure ordering a reduction in the number of commercial flights at Ciampino airport to limit noise pollution as per Decree of the Minister for the Environment no. 345 of 2018, whilst exempting those operating by cargo airlines, was unlawful and discriminatory. The judges also noted that ENAC’s flight reduction requirements were based on circumstances and needs that were no longer current, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its ruling, TAR Lazio rejected ENAC’s argument regarding the logistical complexity of moving cargo carriers from Ciampino to neighbouring Fiumicino airport, confirming that such a gradual transfer of activity should have been completed long ago.
The WFW Italy team that advised Ryanair was led by Partner Giannalberto Mazzei, assisted by Of Counsel Matteo Castioni, Senior Associate Alessandro Di Carlo and Associate Eleonora Gentili.
Giannalberto commented: “We are confident that this ruling will impact the non-discriminatory allocation of slots at Ciampino positively. It is a victory that promotes fair competition in full compliance with Decree no. 345/2018”.
