Brussels, 20/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 May, the European Commission decided to call on the Portuguese authorities to correctly apply the directive on the opening-up of the ground-handling market in Portuguese airports. European rules on access to some airside handling services (baggage handling, ramp handling and freight and mail handling between terminals and aircraft) are not being complied with, particularly at the Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports. If no satisfactory response is forthcoming within two months, the Commission may refer Portugal to the European Court of Justice.
Portugal limited to two the number of ground-handling service suppliers in the airports of Lisbon, Porto and Faro, which is possible on the basis of Directive 96/67. However, the Commission considers that the selection of handling suppliers for three categories (baggage handling, ramp handling and freight and mail handling between the terminals and aircraft) was not conducted in accordance with the European directive. Rather than choose suppliers through calls for tender, in accordance with the directive, Portugal sought an investor financed by the capital of an existing operator. The Commission underlines that key criteria of the procedure have therefore not been complied with: the mandatory consultation of the airlines using these airports did not take place; and the supplier selected has not been selected for a maximum market-access period of seven years. Furthermore, one of the suppliers must be independent of the airport operating company and of the main airline operating in the airport. This is not the case in Lisbon and Porto since the service suppliers are a subsidiary of the managing body of the airport and a subsidiary, known as SPdH, of the main airline (TAP) operating there. Despite the fact that TAP is only a minority shareholder in SPdH, a number of aspects suggest that the situation is not conducive to guaranteeing the long-term independence of SPdH from TAP. (A.By./transl.jl)