By Padraic Halpin and Foo Yun Chee

DUBLIN/LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) – Ryanair on Wednesday said it would appeal a ruling by Europe’s second-highest court rejecting its challenge against an EU order to repay millions of euros in illegal aid given by an Austrian airport.

TUIfly’s challenge on the same matter was also rejected by the Luxembourg-based General Court.

According to the 2016 European Commission decision, certain marketing and airport services agreements were made between Ryanair in Austria and Ryanair in the southern Austrian region.

EU competition watchdog claimed that lossmaking contracts were state aid because the airline’s operating costs were reduced.

The illegal aid was estimated at approximately 2 million euros (£1.7 million), TUIfly at 1 million, and HLX at 9.6 millions. Both Ryanair, TUIfly and others challenged the decision.

In both instances, the Court concurred with the Commission. Ryanair will appeal to the EU Court of Justice. This Court is Europe’s top court.

These cases are T-448/18 Ryanair and Others and Commission and T-447/18 TUIIfly and Commission.

($1 = 1.1714 euros)