Brussels, 10/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Following the Malév scandal, the European Low Fare Airline Association (ELFAA) is urging the European Commission to clamp down on illegal state aid to airlines. On Monday 9 January, the European Commission ruled illegal state aid issued by Hungary to the Malév airline (see EUROPE 10527). Budapest is required to recover the wrongly issued aid to its national airline, aid issued from 2007 to 2010. The Commission's decision has even been praised by the low cost airline association representing the interests of 9 airlines, including Ryanair and EasyJet. ELFAA Secretary-General John Hanlon said that over and above creating an uneven playing field to the detriment of passengers, the continued use of taxpayers' money to save failing airlines is an irresponsible use of government funds, particularly in these times of fiscal austerity, and it must not be allowed to continue. (MD/transl.fl)