Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) has successfully advised Ryanair on ensuring the interim safeguard of its summer 2021 flight slots at Rome-Ciampino Airport before the Italian Supreme Administrative Court.
The Italian Ministry of the Environment’s Decree No. 456 of 2018 introduced several noise-related operating restrictions at Rome-Ciampino airport and a drastic reduction in its airport slots, mostly affecting Ryanair as the airport’s main air carrier.
The Lazio Regional Administrative Court, in judgement No. 3236 of 17 March 2021, rejected Ryanair’s first appeal against the above slot reduction.
The Supreme Administrative Court, in ordinance no. 2403 of 10 May 2021, accepted the grounds of Ryanair’s appeal against the above judgement and Ministerial Decree and ordered the temporary suspension of the slot reduction.
While a final decision is expected in Autumn 2021, this interim decision enables Ryanair to operate its regular scheduled flights at Rome-Ciampino without reduction this summer, thereby ensuring no disruption to passengers.
The WFW Italy Regulatory team advising Ryanair comprised Of Counsel Matteo Castioni, Counsel Giannalberto Mazzei and Senior Associate Arcangelo Pecchia.