France seizes Ryanair aircraft to compel airline to repay public support funds

France's General Directorate for Civil Aviation (DGAC) seized (09-Nov-2018) a Ryanair aircraft at Bordeaux Airport on 08-Nov-2018, in order to compel the airline to repay public support received from the Charentes airport joint syndicate in 2008/2009. This public support was declared illegal by the European Commission in 2014. The agency stated the aircraft seizure was a "last resort", following several formal notices and failed recovery attempts. DGAC stated it was "regrettable" the state was forced to carry out the measure and inconvenience 149 passengers. [more - original PR - French]