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

Imposition of a public service obligation for the period from 5 May 2003 until the change of timetable in March 2006 on scheduled air services between Mariehamn/Åland (MHQ) and Stockholm/Arlanda (ARN), supplementing earlier decisions

(2002/C 320/06)

(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 frequency

Between 5 May 2003 and the change of timetable in March 2006, the Monday to Friday frequency shall be at least two round trips per day. There will be no flights in July on account of the low level of demand. All flights must be direct.

Number of seats

At least 18 seats shall be available per flight with a minimum of 16200 seats per year. If, during any calendar quarter, the cabin factor exceeds 80 % or falls below 35 % the offer shall be adjusted for the next period of the timetable.

Timetable

Travellers on a working day from Åland must be able to make a round trip to all destinations with regular air traffic in Sweden, and to Oslo, Copenhagen and the major airports within the rest of Europe. The aeroplane should arrive at ARN Monday to Friday by 7.00 at the latest and between 16.15 and 19.00. Departure from ARN should be Monday to Friday between 7.00 and 9.00 and between 18.15 and 21.00, if appropriate slots can be provided. In addition, during certain days of the year when demand is particularly low, such as bank holiday weekends or longer holiday periods, flights may, in special circumstances, be reduced, with the agreement of the awarding authority, subject to a specially agreed credit per single trip. By analogy, the offer may be increased subject to a specially agreed fare per single trip.

Type of plane

The true air 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, shall be at least 20 kg.

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 SCBs 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 accompanying persons.

Information, booking, sales and marketing

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

Cooperation agreement

There shall be an interline agreement between air companies for acceptance of one another's tickets in accordance with current practice.

Continuity of flights

A maximum of 20 % of departures may be more than five minutes late and a maximum of 5 % of departures may be more than 15 minutes late. Apart from situations beyond the airline's control, the regularity of flights shall be at least 99 % per calendar quarter. The airline 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:

- boarding and disembarkation must take place in a dignified, safe, and secure manner,

- special attention shall be paid to sick and disabled people and people with special needs and their legitimate requirements in terms of in-flight assistance,

- escorting and other reasonable services shall be provided when changing flights,

- information on travel opportunities and travel routes shall be given upon request,

- safety and other information must be provided graphically (in such a way that passengers with a sight or hearing impediment can assimilate it),

- booking and purchase of tickets shall be simple for the traveller,

- all on-board announcements must be given in Swedish and English.

Environmental demands

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

Reports

The airline operating the route MHQ-ARN is required to report to Åland's Government each calendar quarter on how its obligations been met.

Proposed timetable MHQ-ARN round trip

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