On 23 April 2026, the Court of Justice of the EU based in Luxembourg gave its judgment in the case Deutsche Lufthansa v Ryanair and Condor Flugdienst (C-457/23 P).

In 2020, Germany notified the European Commission of a €6 billion recapitalisation plan for Deutsche Lufthansa AG to address financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aid consisted of equity participation and hybrid capital instruments intended to restore the airline group’s balance sheet and liquidity.

The Commission approved the measure as compatible with EU state aid rules without opening a formal investigation.

However, competing airlines, including Ryanair and Condor, challenged the decision before the EU courts.

The General Court annulled the Commission’s approval in 2023, and this annulment was confirmed by the Court of Justice of the European Union after Lufthansa’s appeal was rejected.

This video shows extracts of the hearing.