Brussels, 21/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission decided on Wednesday that a German aid scheme for the construction and development of regional airports in structurally weak regions is compatible with European legislation. The public aid measure is part of the joint Federal Government-Länder scheme for improving regional economic infrastructure in Germany and will apply for 2004-2006. Any grant available under the authorised scheme may be used only for investment costs in airport infrastructure that is open to all potential users on equal terms. No cost for the daily operational activity of the airport will be eligible for financial support. Nor may any specific investments by an air carrier that uses the airports in question be funded under the scheme. The Commission comments that around 40 airports meet the eligibility criteria under the German scheme. A precise estimation of the numbers of eligible airfields and airports is not possible. In practice, two to six grants were authorised each year in the recent period. Most of these airports have less than 50,000 passengers a year, while some serve around 1 million people. Total funding in recent years was considerably less than € 10 million annually. Transport Commissioner Barrot said: “This scheme is in the common European interest. It will serve to develop regional airports that today are often under-utilised and represent a cost for local communities. The development of such airports should boost local economies and also promote regional cohesion”. (The European Commission is currently preparing guidelines for state aids to airports which will clarify the conditions under which aid to airports may be accepted. See Europe of 3 December 2004.)