# CE2004084EN.01039302.xml

| 3.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 84/393 |
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3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 84/393

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(2004/C 84 E/0456)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0428/04

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(17 February 2004)

Subject:   The future of publicly-owned regional airports in the light of the recent decision on Charleroi Airport, in Belgium, and Ryanair

Subject:

In light of the recent Commission decision on Charleroi Airport and Ryanair, can the Commission indicate:

| 1. | How publicly-owned airports can now compete with large privately-owned airports in attracting traffic and new routes? |
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1.

How publicly-owned airports can now compete with large privately-owned airports in attracting traffic and new routes?

| 2. | Has the Commission received any response from publicly-owned regional airports to this decision in regard to Charleroi and, if so, what is that response? |
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2.

Has the Commission received any response from publicly-owned regional airports to this decision in regard to Charleroi and, if so, what is that response?

| 3. | Has any economic impact assessment been done on both the fare levels that will now operate from publicly-owned airports as a result of this decision and the effect on regional development in and around this type of airport? |
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3.

Has any economic impact assessment been done on both the fare levels that will now operate from publicly-owned airports as a result of this decision and the effect on regional development in and around this type of airport?

| 4. | Will the Commission be considering new proposals in regard to the whole area of airport fees and charges? |
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4.

Will the Commission be considering new proposals in regard to the whole area of airport fees and charges?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2004)

(29 March 2004)

It is for every airport, whether public or private, to decide how to best pit its strengths with competing airports. In any case, such competition should not be distorted through the granting of aid by a Member State or through State resources in any form.

In order to develop a comprehensive approach to competition between airports in general and the application of State aid rules in particular, the Commission, in 2002, has had a study carried out on this subject. This study can be retrieved from the Commission's website: (www.europa.eu.int/comm/transport/ air/rules/indexen.htm). Taking into account the results of this study and recent cases, guidelines will be developed on the application of the Community rules on State aid to airports and air carriers operating at those airports.

The Commission has not received reactions in writing from any regional airport.

The decision in question was based on a complaint about the particular situation at Charleroi airport and the particular advantages granted to Ryanair which had to be examined on the basis of the relevant provisions on State aid of the EC Treaty. Therefore, the Commission has not carried out a general economic impact analysis on the level of tariffs (or airport charges) to be applied to public airports as a result of the Commission decision of 3 February 2004 on Ryanair's operations at Charleroi airport. An analysis on the effect of the decision on regional development in and around this type of airport was not necessary as the decision encourages, under certain conditions, agreements between regional airports and low-cost air carriers which lead to better use of under-used airports, help to solve problems of air transport congestion and give EU citizens more choice.

In any case, a new initiative for a Directive on airport charges is in the Commission's Work Programme for 2004. It is recalled that two previous initiatives were not adopted by the Council (1).

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(1)  OJ C 147, 16.6.1990 and OJ C 257, 22.8.1997.

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