French court rules airlines must apply nation

A French court has ruled that foreign airlines must apply French employment regulations to staff working from the country.

France's highest court, the Conseil d'Etat, has ruled against an appeal by low-cost airlines Ryanair and easyJet against legislation introduced last year. According to the court ruling, both Ryanair and easyJet must now pay 2,500 euros in judicial costs.

Ryanair accused the French government of contravening European legislation on the free movement of labour and services by decreeing that staff operating out of France should be subject to the country's labour laws.

The Irish-based airline has announced that it plans to challenge the French court's decision and has applied to the European Commission for an official infringement procedure against France.

Ryanair head of regulatory affairs and company secretary, Jim Callaghan, said in a statement: "French consumers have suffered long enough under an Air France monopoly which is denying them the benefits of competition and low fares."

easyJet has stated that it will comply with the French court ruling and apply France's labour laws to its 170 employees based in the country.


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Date:17/07/2007 11:26:38