The complaint concerned the decision by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency to reject costs claimed by an airport that participated in an EU-funded project aimed at developing the EU air traffic management system. The complainant contested the reasons given by INEA for deeming the costs ineligible, namely that there was no evidence that the work related to the costs was carried out in the period covered by the project.

Based on the evidence provided in the complaint, the Ombudsman's inquiry team found that the complainant had not demonstrated that the works in question were carried out in the time period specified under the grant agreement. The Ombudsman therefore closed the inquiry with a finding of no maladministration.