# C_2005206EN.01000901.xml

| 23.8.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 206/9 |
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23.8.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 206/9

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FI-Helsinki: operation of a scheduled air service

Invitation to tender

(2005/C 206/09)

1.   Introduction: In accordance with Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 (on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes), the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and Communications) decided on 9 May 2005 to impose a public service obligation on a carrier operating a scheduled air service on the Helsinki-Varkaus route.

The public service obligation was published in
  Official Journal of the European Union C 204 of 20 August 2005.

Official Journal of the European Union

If no air carrier has commenced or is about to commence scheduled air services on the Helsinki-Varkaus route by 1 October 2005 without requesting financial compensation in accordance with the public-service obligation, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will restrict access to the route to just 1 carrier. The right to operate a service on this route will then be granted on the basis of a call for tender in accordance with Article 4(1)(d) of the Regulation referred to above. The Ministry of Transport and Communications decided on 9 May 2005 to launch a call for tender.

2.   Purpose of the call for tender: Operation of a scheduled air service between Helsinki and Varkaus from 1.11.2005 to 31.10.2006, not including 19.12.2005 to 1.1.2006 or 23.6.2006 to 6.8.2006.

3.   Participation in the call for tender: The call for tender is open to all air carriers with a valid Community operating licence within the meaning of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers.

4.   Tender procedure: The call for tender will be organised in accordance with Article 4(1)(d) to (i) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92.

The client may reject all offers if the price is too high or if circumstances or the requirements for organising the service change significantly, in such a way as to make it unfeasible or impossible to implement the planned service in the way described in the call for tender.

Until a contract is signed, the Ministry of Transport and Communications will retain the right to defer the start date of the planned service. If the start date is deferred, the end date will also be deferred correspondingly.

5.   Tender documents: A full tender dossier, including the call for tender, tender conditions, a draft contract, the public-service obligation and tender forms may be obtained from:

Liikenne- ja viestintäministeriö Kirjaamo, PL 31, Valtioneuvosto, FIN-00023 Helsinki.

The documents may also be ordered by e-mail (kirjaamo@mintc.fi) or fax (358-9) 160 28619).

6.   Financial compensation: Bids must clearly specify, in euro, the amount of compensation required for the service in question. The compensation required should be based on an estimate of actual costs and revenue, taking account of the minimum requirements imposed by the public service obligation. The compensation may cover only actual services and costs incurred at the Helsinki-Vantaa and Varkaus airports in connection with operation on this route only. The compensation shall not include costs incurred on other routes or at other airports.

All compensation and costs must be specified in euro.

7.   Ticket prices and the pricing system: Bids must specify fares and accompanying conditions and the various ticket types under the pricing system. Ticket prices must be in keeping with the public service obligation imposed on this route.

8.   Selection criteria: Selection shall be among the bids that meet the requirements set out in the call to tender and the tender documents. In accordance with Article 4(1)(f) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92, selection of the air carrier shall be made taking into consideration the adequacy of the service including, in particular, the prices and conditions available to users and the cost of the compensation required, if any.

9.   Period of validity of the contract: The contract shall apply from the date on which it is concluded to 31 October 2006. Services shall start on 1 November 2005 and end on 31 October 2006.

If the Ministry of Transport and Communications has to defer the start date for the services, the end date of the services and of the contract will also be deferred correspondingly.

10.   Amendment or termination of the contract: The contract may be amended only on condition that the amendments do not lead to a situation in which the requirements under the public service obligation will no longer be met on this route. Amendments to the contract must be made in writing. The parties shall have the right to terminate the contract if there is reason to do so under the terms of the contract.

11.   Penalties in the event of failure to comply with the contract: The air carrier shall be responsible for meeting the obligations set out in the contract. If the carrier fails to meet the obligations or meets them inadequately the client may reduce the compensation payable.

12.   Deadline for submission of bids: Bids must be submitted not later than 31 days after the publication of this notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union

13.   Submission of bids: Bids must reach the Ministry of Transport and Communications by 16.15 on the date specified at point 12 at the latest. The envelope must be marked: ‘Tarjous, Varkauden lentoliikenne, 679/79/2005’. Bids must be sent by post to the address given at point 5 or to the Registrar's Office at the Ministry of Transport and Communications (Liikenne- ja Viestintäministeriö, Kirjaamo, Etaläesplanadi 16, Helsinki). The Registrar's Office is open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 16.15.

The price of the bid must be specified in a separate sealed envelope, bearing the name of the tenderer.

Bids must be valid until 31 December 2005.

14.   Validity of invitation to tender: In accordance with Article 4(1)(d) of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has the right to suspend the tender procedure and/or reject all bids if a Community air carrier has notified Finland's Civil Aviation Administration before 1 October 2005 of its wish to begin the operation of scheduled services on the route in question as from 1 November 2005 in accordance with the public service obligation without sole rights and without receiving financial compensation.

A bid may be selected only if the State budget allocates sufficient funds to the project in question and if the town of Varkaus has undertaken to finance it.

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