Brussels, 24/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 24 May, the Commission opened two in-depth investigations into the air transport sector in Romania.
One investigation is on a Romanian support scheme for investments in regional airports. The Commission doubts whether public financing of this kind “meets a clearly defined objective of general interest, given the apparent oversupply of airport services in Romania”. It also needs to assess whether the upgraded infrastructure is necessary and proportional, given that “Romania's regional airports are generally loss-making … and their operating losses are covered by the state on a yearly basis”.
The second investigation is on subsidies and discounts granted by the Timisoara airport to a number of airlines, and the Commission needs to verify whether these distort competition. The Commission also fears that the agreements concluded by the airport of Timisoara and Wizz Air (non-payment of airport charges amounting to €2.6 million and the application of additional rebates of 72-85% on all airport charges for large aircraft) gives the company an unfair economic advantage over its competitors.
Also on Tuesday, having considered that the subsidies granted were justified and limited in size, the Commission approved investment aid aimed essentially at improving accessibility to and connectivity with an airport for South and West Wales. It also found public financing necessary for facilitating the use of train and bus to and from the regional airport of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Italy. (O.L./transl.jl)