IRISH AIRLINES Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Aer Arann were fined by the Revenue Commissioners earlier this year for the misuse of fuel in their airport service vehicles.

Details of the fines appeared in the latest edition of Irish Oifigiúil, the journal that lists tax defaulters.

It is understood that the three Irish airlines fell foul of the Revenue through the incorrect use of duty-exempt fuel in services vehicles used at Dublin airport.

Vehicles operating airside at the airport are generally permitted to use duty-exempt fuel but those using public roads are not.

These matters were prosecuted through the District Court earlier this year.

Aer Lingus and Ryanair were fined €10,500 each, while Aer Arann was required to make a payment of €1,500.

In a statement yesterday, Aer Lingus said it had “received a number of summonses arising out of the inadvertent use of duty-exempt fuels in certain service vehicles which were dealt with by the District Court in March of this year.

“Since this matter was brought to our attention by Revenue, Aer Lingus has implemented procedures to ensure that duty-paid and duty-exempt fuels are not incorrectly allocated between service vehicles.”

Ryanair declined to comment yesterday.

Aer Arann said the matter had been dealt with in the District Court and it has since changed its procedures.

The Zurich-based aircraft maintenance group SR Technics, which is in the process of winding down its business at Dublin airport, was fined €3,000 for the same reason.

In addition, ground handling services groups Servisair Ireland Ltd and Sky Handling Partners were fined €7,500 and €1,500 respectively.