So the point was that they had massive sunk costs which couldn't be recovered. The legality or otherwise of the EU subsidies is a bit beside the point.

It's absolutely one of my favourites to fly on. I'll miss it when they replace it with the 2 engine widebodies. Economics just didn't work out for a good idea.

(A re-engined 747 with something quieter, and with better cabin pressure and humidity could also have worked but Boeing were never going there)