germanwings (4U, Cologne/Bonn) along with TUI fly (Germany) (X3, Hannover) and Ryanair (FR, Dublin International) have been ordered to repay a total of EUR1.9million (USD2.406million) in illegal state-funding extended to them by the management of Zweibrücken over the period 2000 to 2009.

In its ruling, the European Commission said airport services and marketing agreements concluded between the airport and the carriers could not have been expected to generate more revenue than costs at the time of their signing.

"As no market economy operator would have concluded such incrementally loss-making agreements, they amount to State aid to the airlines. The Commission further found that the State aid granted through these agreements was not compatible with EU rules," the EC said.

The amounts of incompatible state aid are estimated to be approximately EUR1.2million for Germanwings, EUR500'000 for Ryanair, and EUR200'000 for TUIfly.

The airlines were then directed to repay the funds to the German government.

In a statement, Ryanair disputed the EC's ruling adding that it had instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal.