RIGA — It’s not often two state-owned companies take each other to court because of unresolved differences, but Latvia’s national airline and the country’s main airport are doing just that.

airBaltic’s impending lawsuit against Riga International Airport has drawn criticism from the country’s transport ministry saying that their argument contains inaccurate and misleading information.

The airline, which is part owned by the state, alleges that the airport gave special treatment to Ryanair by allowing them to pay lower tariffs. airBaltic contacted the court demaning that the Riga airport pay them 6 million lats (€8.6 million).

They claim that the airport has utilized a “monopoly” position to manipulate ground handling fees to the detriment of airBaltic. After break down in talks, the company appealed to the competition council and the courts.

Transport Minister Kaspars Gerhards responded to the lawsuit saying that the tariffs are working as they should be given the good volume of traffic going into the airport.

airBaltic’s communication officer Jānis Vanags said that the airline “has reason to believe that during 2010 Riga International Airport collected a reduced fee for services from Ryanair, which is not in accordance with the Cabinet’s approved tariffs.”

Vanags said his airline is paying double the rate of Ryanair.

Gerhards said the scheme best and most competitive tariff policy ever implemented at the airport, as evidenced by the entry of new airlines and increased passenger numbers.

“Some disagreements between airlines and airports in Riga on economic matters can not be a basis to undermine the airport’s competitiveness and tariff policy as a whole, thus leaving a negative impact both on the airport and airBaltic,” the minister said.

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