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 to Rome's Ciampino airport.
WFW argued that ENAC's order of reducing commercial flights at the airport to limit noise pollution, whilst also giving exemption to cargo airlines, was unlawful and discriminatory. Tar Lazio accepted these arguments, confirming the claims.
The judges had also noted that ENAC's flight reduction requirements were based on circumstances and needs that were no longer current, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The court also rejected ENAC's argument regarding the logistical complexity of moving cargo carriers from Ciampino to the 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.
“We are confident that this ruling will impact the non-discriminatory allocation of slots at Ciampino positively,” said Giannalberto. “It is a victory that promotes fair competition in full compliance with decree no. 345 of 2018.”
The noise pollution measure made by ENAC was made per the decree of the minister for the environment no. 345 of 2018.