Brussels, 10/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 10 October, the European Commission decided to allow Italy to grant start-up aid for new air routes from Grosseto regional airport in Tuscany to other European destinations. The measure will last three years as of 2008 and provide up to €927,000 to airlines in order to finance new routes. The main objective of the aid is to improve access to air transport services which are of basic importance for the economic and social development of this area. The aid is designed to help airlines wishing to establish new routes to, or from, this airport by meeting part of their start-up costs and route-specific marketing aid. The Commission found that the proposed scheme is in line with EU rules as the aid is available to all operators in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner; it is limited to three years for each new route; it is limited to 30% of eligible costs; and it has to be paid out on the basis of a business plan. (ol)