WRITTEN QUESTION E-1694/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Direct air connections to Strasbourg

By its very nature, the European Union works in different countries. Consequently MEPs, for example, are required to meet in Strasbourg 12 times a year for part-sessions, even though they would rather not.

How does the Commission propose to ensure that direct flights are arranged at least from every EU Member State capital to Strasbourg? This ought surely to be a minimum requirement in the interest of the EU's capacity to function. There are currently, for example, no direct flights from Sweden or Finland to Strasbourg, which means that MEPs have to waste a whole working day in travelling there and another coming back. In a year this amounts to twice twelve days, or five whole weeks' work lost just in travelling. Thus in one parliamentary electoral period, six months' working time goes just on travel. Surely this cannot be regarded as sensible from the point of view of the EU taxpayer?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(1 July 1998)

The Commission understands and sympathises with the difficulties expressed by the Honourable Member and by many of her colleagues. The Commission can only report, however, that European airlines have full freedom to operate within the Community and there are no means by which either the Commission or national authorities could oblige airlines to operate on specific routes for reasons similar to those set out by the Honourable Member.

It may be noted that under Article 4 of the Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes(1), Member States can impose public service obligations to some routes to regional airports situated in their territory. Under this provision, national authorities can require that the entry of airlines onto such routes is only possible if certain conditions of adequacy and continuity are met.

In the event that no airline announces its intention to operate the route in accordance with such obligations, the Member State may launch a call for tender to select an individual airline to operate the route for a period up to three years. The selected air carrier is entitled to be compensated for the deficit incurred for fulfilling the public service obligations. The guidelines for the application of Articles 92 and 93 of the EC Treaty in the aviation sector, published on 10 December 1994(2), recognize the compatibility of such compensation with the state aid rules. This mechanism has already been applied by Member States on several occasions in order to ensure the viability of certain routes.

In view of the legal power of Member States in relation to the imposition of public service obligations, the Honourable Member may wish to pursue her concerns with the national authorities relevant to a service between Strasbourg and Helsinki. It may be recalled that since 1995 France has imposed obligations in terms of frequency and capacity on a number of cross-border routes out of Strasbourg (but not to Helsinki). Several of these obligations were renewed by France in December 1997. The Commission published in the Official journal the corresponding calls for tender in accordance with the provisions of Community law(3). However, it should be recognised that the specification of public service obligations does not include the power to compel airlines to operate any given route, if no airline expresses its intention to respond to calls for tender.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(2) OJ C 350, 10.12.1994.

(3) OJ C 385, 19.12.1997.