EN Official Journal of the European Union C 205/10

Public service obligation

(2007/C 205/06)

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 (1), the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and Communications) has decided to amend a public service obligation on scheduled flights. This public service obligation was published on 20 June 2006 in the Official Journal of the European Union, C 144.

The revised public service obligation will come into force as soon as it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The obligation relates to scheduled flights from Helsinki to Varkaus in the period running from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2010.

The public service obligation for the Helsinki-Varkaus route is as follows:

Minimum number of flights

The minimum number of connections between Helsinki and Varkaus will be three in each direction on working days from Monday to Friday, not including public holidays. This obligation will not apply in July.

The timetable may be adjusted during the summer holiday period and at Christmas and other holiday periods according to demand.

Number of seats

The number of seats on the aircraft must be able to meet passenger demand. The average monthly seat-occupancy rate must not exceed 80 %.

There should be enough luggage/cargo capacity to enable each passenger, on a full flight in normal weather conditions, to carry on 8 kg in hand luggage and put at least 20 kg in the hold.

Ticket prices and sales

A one-way ticket between Varkaus and Helsinki will cost, all taxes and charges included, no more than EUR 190. Cheaper ticket categories must be available and must account for at least 40 % of all tickets.

The carrier must agree on an interline arrangement for the route covered by the public service obligation with at least one carrier that operates a service out of Helsinki-Vantaa. The interline agreement should be on the same or equivalent terms and conditions and should follow, with regard to fares on the route, the pro rata system in accordance with international rules. The carrier must conclude interline agreements with the same or equivalent conditions with any other interested carriers operating air services from Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The carrier must provide the Ministry of Transport and Communications with any information it needs for the purpose of carrying out checks regarding the interline agreements and their contents.

The carrier must have an international reservation and ticketing system operation in Finland and an IATA interline agreement with through-pricing and luggage-handling arrangements. Information concerning prices and timetables must be included in the international reservations and ticketing system.

The carrier must have a cooperation agreement covering through-pricing with at least one company that flies to foreign destinations from Helsinki-Vantaa airport.

Flights must be sold through at least one computerised reservations system.

Continuity of service:

The operation of air services on the route in question without regard to the above-mentioned public service obligation may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

Air carriers intending to discontinue the provision of scheduled air services on this route must notify the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority at least six months before the air services are discontinued.

Accessibility for people with disabilities

The carrier must ensure that sufficient provision is made for the needs of people with functional disabilities.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.9.1992, p. 8.