WRITTEN QUESTION E-0512/99

by Eolo Parodi (PPE) and Guido Viceconte (PPE) to the Commission

(8 March 1999)

Subject: Flights to the islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa

As of 25 October 1998 Alitalia no longer has flights from Sicily to Pantelleria and Lampedusa, two islands which are closer to Africa than to Sicily and which are now being even further isolated from Italy and from Europe.

Since Alitalia withdrew from these two islands, Air Sicilia has taken over and, having the monopoly, sells return tickets from Sicily at 300 000 lire each. Market research has estimated the real cost of a return ticket from Pantelleria to Sicily, given a plane that is 70 % full, to be 100 000 lire per person.

The disproportionate cost of the flight, the diminishing supply and Air Sicilia's limited sales network (it is currently impossible to book seats via the usual IATA systems) have led to a decline in the number of visitors of over 2 500 since 25 October 1998. This year looks set to see a drop in demand equivalent to 30 000 passengers out of a total of 200 000 passengers transported each year.

1. Does the Commission consider the prices charged by the current carrier (Air Sicilia) to be justified or does it, on the contrary, not believe that such prices might lead to considerable job losses on the two islands, curbing the growth in tourism?

2. In view of the peripheral position of the two islands and the social nature of such flights, does the Commission not consider that low-cost flights to and from Sicily should be guaranteed?

3. Why, after the Pantellerian authorities had been persuaded to set up a company to manage Pantelleria Airport, did Alitalia (and Air Sicilia, for that matter) not avail itself of its services (which would have considerably lowered the cost of flights)?

4. What does Europe intend to do for the inhabitants of these two islands, which Italy appears to have forgotten about?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1999)

Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 of 23 July 1992(1) on market access to intra-Community air routes allows public service obligations to be declared on certain routes to regional airports. According to the applicable provisions, it is for Member States, and not the Commission, to decide whether to impose public service obligations, on routes that are considered to be vital for the economic development of a region. The conditions must be necessary to ensure the adequate provision of air services on that route in accordance with certain standards which airlines would not assume if they were solely considering their commercial interest.

If the authorities consider them to be appropriate, this mechanism can include the imposition of price limits to ensure that fares are affordable for all passengers, notably to promote tourism and the economic development of the peripheral region.

The Commission is aware that the Italian authorities are considering possible means of facilitating air transport services to peripheral regions, including the smaller islands of Sicily. The options available under Community law are the imposition by the Italian authorities of public service obligations on the routes concerned, as mentioned above, or the adoption of a non-discriminatory form of social aid for the benefit of the residents of such islands.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.