Brussels, 17/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 16 April 2013, the European Commission extended the scope of an in-depth investigation opened in February 2013 into public support measures in favour of Estonian Air (see EUROPE 10790) to cover Estonia's decision of 28 February 2013 to increase a previous rescue loan (€8.3 million in 2012) by €28.7 million. The rescue loan aims to keep the airline running until 31 March 2013. Estonia says the extra cash, €16.6 million of which has already been supplied, is needed to keep the flagship airline going beyond March to that a restructuring plan can be implemented. Some €23.8 million of the new cash will finance urgent structural measures to help the company introduced some of the restructuring plan, reduce the size of the company and restrict losses as far as possible. The Commission will examine whether the measure is in line with EU state aid rules. The extension of the investigation will give interested third parties an opportunity to comment on this additional measure. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. Estonian Air is 97.3% owned by the state. It has received several state bailouts since 2009, including three batches of cash totalling more than €57 million. (FG/transl.fl)