Brussels, 14/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the Forum of European Regional Airports (FARE) say the European Commission's new guidelines on start-up aid for regional airports are unworkable and totally contradict the very wish expressed by the Commission to favour regional airports (thereby relieving congestion at big European hubs, see EUROPE 9021). The two associations say the provisions of the guidelines are too rigid for regional airports to adapt and compete successfully in the modern air transport market and 'nullify all the efforts and results achieved by regional airports over recent years.' They regret the Commission's decision to limit aid to new routes only, without taking into account the need to improve existing air services (eg from propeller to jet services, etc), and the decision to give precedence to train over air transport, neglecting the needs of islands and isolated regions.
FARE Chair, Pier Giorgio Ballini said: 'The time for suggestions, recommendations, position papers and the like is over. Now it is time for action: this is why FARE is thinking to appeal to the European Courts of Justice.'