EU Court Orders KLM Aid Review

Europe's top court has ordered a tribunal to reassess its previous decision to block 3.4 billion euros in Dutch state aid to KLM. The ruling marks a setback for rival airline Ryanair, which had successfully challenged the pandemic-era rescue package.

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A logo of the airline company KLM on an aircraft at Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 15, 2026. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

Europe's top court ordered a tribunal to reassess its decision blocking €3.4 billion ($3.8 billion) in Dutch state aid to AIR FRANCE-KLM's pandemic-hit unit. The ruling overturns lower court judgments that had previously backed challenges from budget competitor RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC. The legal battle centers on state support packages granted by European governments during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.