Brussels, 21/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission announced that it considered the temporary compensation for the additional security costs incurred by Community airlines after 11 September 2001 does not constitute State aid. The Commission's decision is fully in line with its 10 October 2001 communication on the repercussions of the terrorist attacks in the USA on the air transport industry. The Commission had taken the view that strengthening aviation security measures should be the responsibility of the public authorities. It restated this point of view on 12 June 2002. The Commission considered that the obligation for airlines to intensify security checks in France comes under the heading of the exercise of public-authority powers. Consequently, the compensation, which is starkly limited in time and directly related to the extraordinary measures taken following 11 September 2001, does not constitute aid. The compensation will be available to all Community companies.