LOT Polish Airlines, represented by lawyers from the DZP Law Firm, has achieved a major success before the Court of Justice of the European Union. On 2 April 2025, the Court dismissed an action brought by Ryanair in Case T-398/21 challenging the legality of State aid granted to PLL LOT by the Republic of Poland in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like many other European airlines, PLL LOT received State aid to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic. In December 2020, the European Commission issued a positive decision approving State aid for the Polish carrier of a total of PLN 2.9 billion. The support package included a loan at a preferential interest rate granted by the Polish Development Fund (PLN 1.8 billion) and a capital injection of EUR 250 million (as we previously communicated).

In July 2021, Ryanair DAC and Ryanair Sun brought an action before the General Court of the European Union for annulment of the European Commission's decision approving State aid for PLL LOT. The pleas in law raised by the appellants included the alleged lack of a proper analysis of the nature and proportionality of the support granted. The Court did not agree with Ryanair’s position and dismissed the action in its entirety, stating that the Commission's decision complied with European Union law.

PLL LOT was represented by Marcin Krakowiak, Partner in DZP. Also involved in the case were Anna Glapa, who cooperates with DZP, as well as Tomasz Zielenkiewicz and Aneta Włoszek, who specialize in advising on state aid for entities from the transport sector.