On Friday 19 March, the European Commission approved French aid of between €140 and €700 million to compensate ski lift operators in ski resorts. This state aid is intended to compensate operators for the damages suffered as a result of the restrictive measures introduced by the government to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Lift operators in ski resorts will be compensated for the loss of turnover due to the government restrictions.
These companies will be entitled to compensation in the form of direct grants for damages incurred between 1 December 2020 and 30 April 2021, or the date upon which government restrictions affecting ski lifts ends, whichever is the earliest. The end date of the eligible period will depend on whether or not the current government restrictions are extended, but in any case they cannot run after the end of April 2021.
The grants will cover up to 49% of the estimated turnover loss.
The French authorities will also verify that there will be no overcompensation on the basis of the net losses incurred because of the pandemic, that no individual beneficiary receives more in compensation than it suffered in damages, and that any payment in excess of the actual damage is recovered. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)