WRITTEN QUESTION P-2410/98

by Guido Podestà (PPE) to the Commission

(17 July 1998)

Subject: Trans-European transport networks: opening of Malpensa airport

The appeals made by a number of European airlines about the transfer of air traffic from Linate to Malpensa could imply that there is a prejudice against the Lombard airport despite the fact that it forms part of the 14 priority projects, that it will soon be opened and that its situation in Europe makes it of strategic importance in North/South routes also in the light of the recent agreement between Alitalia and KLM. Given that so far there have been no additional delays in completing the infrastructures for the new airport, does the Commission not think that:

1. the problems raised by some European airlines could constructively be resolved by gradually transferring air traffic from Linate to Malpensa without prejudice to the fact that Malpensa should soon become a real European hub, as determined by the European Council in Essen?

2. the transfer of air traffic from Linate to Malpensa will be beneficial for all European airlines since Linate is at saturation point and no longer able to satisfy demand?

3. a number of statements about Alitalia's monopoly on the Linate-Fiumicino route are completely unjustified since, as from 25 October 1998, Alitalia will operate 492 flights a week between Rome and Milan and 4 other companies will be able to offer a good 672?

4. any move it makes substantially to change the position it has so far maintained as regards the transfer of air traffic from Linate to Malpensa with the exception of the Milan-Rome route would come rather late and thus be detrimental to free competition between airlines?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 1998)

The Commission fully supports the substantial transfer of traffic from Linate airport to Malpensa, not least because it is necessary in order to ensure the success of the Malpensa hub.

Any transfer must, however, be in compliance with Community law, in particular the principles of non-discrimination and proportionality in relation to the stated objective. The creation of the Malpensa hub will allow for the resolution of congestion problems that currently affect Linate airport (which handled 14 million passengers in 1997 against an optimal capacity limited to 8 million). The Malpensa hub will also provide users in Milan and the neighbouring areas with air services that are better suited to demand, especially through the development of direct intercontinental routes.

The transfer of traffic from Linate to Malpensa will have positive consequences for air carriers since they will benefit from modern airport infrastructure that is capable of dealing with the envisaged traffic growth over the coming years. However, to achieve this Malpensa must have land transport infrastructure that will provide adequate access. That infrastructure is not yet in place. This led the Commission to adopt a decision declaring the traffic distribution rules incompatible with Community law on 16 September.

The Commission has not received any complaint relating to conduct by Alitalia in contravention of competition rules on the Milan-Rome route (abuse of dominant position). While Alitalia obviously has a strong position on the Milan-Rome route because of its high market share and connections on either side, this falls short of a monopoly because the route is open to all Community carriers by virtue of the principles set out in Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes(1). Several are currently operating in competition with Alitalia.

While the Italian authorities have informed the Commission of the criteria relating to these rules, the Commission was not informed of the date envisaged for the application of these rules (25 October 1998) until the day following the adoption of the decree that fixed this date. Consequently, the Commission could not take a position at an earlier opportunity.

Moreover, it is important to emphasise that the Commission contacted the Italian authorities very shortly after it received the first complaints i.e. in early March 1998.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.