Commission notice pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92

Imposition of public service obligation on scheduled air services between Mariehamn (MHQ)-Stockholm/Arlanda (ARN)

(2002/C 164/07)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Pursuant to 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 has decided to impose a public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services for the route Mariehamn (MHQ)-Stockholm/Arlanda (ARN) as follows:

Minimum route density

During the first period 28 October 2002 to 26 October 2003, the route density Monday to Friday should be at least two round trips per day whilst on Saturday and Sunday there should be a minimum of one round trip per day. This density shall apply for the next two years. It must be a direct flight.

Number of seats

At least 18 seats should be available per flight with a minimum of 26280 seats per year. With regard to the cabin factor it is stated that if, during any calendar quarter, the cabin factor exceeds 80 % or falls below 35 % the range should be adjusted for the next period of the timetable.

Timetable

Travellers on a working day from Åland should be able to make a round trip to all destinations with regular air traffic in Sweden, Oslo, Copenhagen and the major airports within the rest of Europe. The aeroplane should arrive at ARN Monday to Friday 7.00 at the latest and between 16.15-19.00. Departure from ARN should be Monday to Friday between 7.00-9.00 and between 18.15-21.00, if slots can be provided. Arrival and departure times on Saturdays and Sundays should be adjusted to demand as far as possible. During certain periods of the year, when demand is particularly low, such as bank holiday weekends or longer vacation periods, the traffic could, under extraordinary circumstances, be reduced.

Type of plane

The cruising speed (TAS) shall be at least 360 km/h. The plane must have a pressurised cabin with toilet facilities. The baggage allowance, per passenger, on a fully loaded plane and under normal weather conditions, should be at least 20 kg.

Ticket fares

The fare for a round trip MHQ/ARN may not exceed EUR 330 including taxes and VAT. Price adjustments can be made in accordance with SCB's flight fare index for business trips, following approval from Åland's government. Discount fares shall be provided for weekend trips and private travellers as well as for children, youths, students, senior citizens and those accompanying travellers.

Information, booking, sales and marketing

Reliable information shall be available for the whole trip prior to departure. The airline company is responsible for seeing that current and correct timetable, fare and other information is readily available and is spread through Amadeus and other GDS systems. Marketing of the company should also occur through advertisements in the local press, other media and in tourist brochures. The objective is to promote travel by air amongst the general public.

Cooperative agreement

An interline agreement between air companies for approval and acceptance of one another's flight tickets shall exist as is the current practice.

Continuity of flights

The standard requirements are as follows. A maximum of 20 % of the departures can be more the five minutes late and a maximum of 5 % of the departures can be more than 15 minutes late. Apart from situations, which the airline has no control over, the run regularity should be at least 99 % per calendar quarter. The air company must give a minimum of six months' notice prior to cancellation of the operation.

Availability

The air company must meet the requirements of travellers in the following way:

- Entering and leaving the carrier must be dignified, safe, and secure.

- Escort and other reasonable service shall be provided when changing flights.

- Information on travel opportunities and travel routes shall be given upon request.

- Security and other information must be provided graphically (which can be interpreted by those passengers with a sight or hearing impediment).

- Booking and purchase of tickets should be problem-free for the traveller.

- All onboard announcements must be given in at least two languages with attention being given to the fact that Åland is a Swedish-speaking region.

Environmental demands

The aircraft's noise levels must not exceed those limits, which are already recognised and operative. All equipment installed on the aircraft that is designed to improve both comfort and the environment must function and be used in accordance with current instructions.

Reports

The airline company operating MHQ-ARN is required each calendar quarter to report to the Åland Government on how the obligations of the traffic agreement have been met.

Timetable MHQ-ARN round trip, suggestion weekdays

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