EN Official Journal of the European Union C 128/27

Communication from the EFTA Surveillance Authority under Article 4(1)(a) of the Act referred to in point 64a in Annex XIII of the EEA Agreement (Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes)

(2006/C 128/11)

Imposition of public service obligations on scheduled air service on the following routes:

1. Gjögur-Reykjavík v.v.

2. Bíldudalur-Reykjavík v.v.

3. Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík v.v.

4. Grímsey-Akureyri v.v.

5. Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri v.v.

6. Höfn-Reykjavík v.v.

1. INTRODUCTION

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 (http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31992R2408:EN:HTML), Iceland has decided to continue imposing public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services as of 1 January 2007 on the following routes:

1. Gjögur-Reykjavík v.v.

2. Bíldudalur-Reykjavík v.v.

3. Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík v.v.

4. Grímsey-Akureyri v.v.

5. Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri v.v.

6. Höfn-Reykjavík v.v.

2. THE PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATIONS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

2.1. Minimum frequencies, seating capacity, routing and timetables

The requirements apply throughout the operating period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009 (3 years).

Minimum frequency

— Reykjavík-Gjögur-Reykjavík: 2 roundtrips every week

— Reykjavík-Bíldudalur-Reykjavík: 6 roundtrips every week

— Reykjavík-Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík: 5 roundtrips every week

— Aureyri-Grímsey-Akureyri: 3 roundtrips every week

— Akureyri-Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri: 5 roundtrips every week

— Reykjavík-Höfn-Reykjavík: 7 roundtrips every week

Routing

— The required services shall be non-stop.

Timetable

— Reykjavík-Gjögur-Reykjavík: Departure from Reykjavík at 09:00 or later. Arrival to Reykjavík no later than 17:00.

— Reykjavík-Bíldudalur-Reykjavík: Departure from Reykjavík kl. 09:00 or later. Arrival to Reykjavík no later than 19:00.

— Reykjavík-Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík: Departure from Reykjavík 08:00 or later. Arrival to Reykjavík no later than 19:00.

— Akureyri-Grímsey-Akureyri: Departure from Akureyri 09:00 or later. Arrival to Akureyri no later than 17:00.

— Akureyri-Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri: Departure from Akureyri 09:00 or later. Arrival to Akureyri no later than 17:00.

— Reykjavík-Höfn-Reykjavík: Departure from Reykjavík 08:00 or later. Arrival to Reykjavík no later than 18:00.

Seating capacity

— Reykjavík-Gjögur-Reykjavík: In both directions at least 9 seats shall be offered for each trip.

— Reykjavík-Bíldudalur-Reykjavík: In both directions at least 9 seats shall be offered for each trip.

— Reykjavík-Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík: In both directions at least 15 seats shall be offered for each trip.

— Akureyri-Grímsey-Akureyri: In both directions at least 9 seats shall be offered for each trip during the period 1 September — 30 April. In both directions at least 15 seats shall be offered for each trip during the period of 1 May — 31 August.

— Akureyri-Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri: In both directions at least 9 seats shall be offered for each trip during the period 1 September — 30 April. In both directions at least 15 seats shall be offered for each trip during the period of 1 May — 31 August.

— Reykjavík-Höfn-Reykjavík: In both directions at least 15 seats shall be offered for each trip.

2.2. Aircraft category

— Reykjavík-Gjögur-Reykjavík: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 9 passengers and 600 kg freight shall be used for the required flights during the period of 1 November till 31 May. Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 9 passengers and 200 kg freight shall be used for the required flights during the period of 1 June till 31 October.

— Reykjavík-Bíldudalur-Reykjavík: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 9 passengers shall be used for the required flights.

— Reykjavík-Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 15 passengers shall be used for the required flights.

— Akureyri-Grímsey-Akureyri: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 9 passengers shall be used for the required flights during the period of 1 September — 30 April. Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 15 passengers shall be used for the required flights during the period 1 May — 31 August.

— Akureyri-Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 9 passengers shall be used for the required flights during the period of 1 September — 30 April. Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 15 passengers shall be used for the required flights during the period 1 May — 31 August.

— Reykjavík-Höfn-Reykjavík: Multi engine turboprop aircraft registered for minimum 15 passengers shall be used for the required flights.

Carriers attention is especially drawn to technical and operative conditions applying at the airports.

2.3. Fares

Maximum basic one-way fare (fully flexible) excluding airport tax and insurance premium may not exceed following prices (price index January 2006):

1. Reykjavík — Gjögur ISK 9 280 (+ ISK 930) 2. Reykjavík — Bíldudalur ISK 9 280 (+ ISK 930) 3. Reykjavík — Sauðárkrókur ISK 9 280 (+ ISK 930) 4. Akureyri — Grímsey ISK 8 090 (+ ISK 930) 5. Akureyri — Vopnafjörður ISK 10 190 (+ ISK 930) 6. Akureyri — Þórshöfn ISK 10 190 (+ ISK 930) 7. Reykjavík — Höfn ISK 11 520 (+ ISK 930 )

Social discounts conforming to the usual practice shall be offered.

Changes can be made in ticket prices according to changes in the consumer price index but no more frequently than every 6 months.

2.4. Freight rates

Reykjavík-Gjögur-Reykjavík: The service fee per freight shall not exceed ISK 680 excl. VAT and price charged per kg shall not exceed ISK 19 excl. VAT during the period 1 November — 31 May (price level January 2006).

2.5. Service continuity

The number of flight cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 4 % of the intended number of flights on an annual basis.

2.6. Cooperation arrangements

Following a tender procedure, which limits access to the following routes:

1. Gjögur-Reykjavík v.v.

2. Bíldudalur-Reykjavík v.v.

3. Sauðárkrókur-Reykjavík v.v.

4. Grímsey-Akureyri v.v.

5. Vopnafjörður-Þórshöfn-Akureyri v.v.

6. Höfn-Reykjavík v.v.

to one carrier these conditions apply:

Fares

All connecting fares to/from other air services shall be offered on equal terms for all carriers. Exempted from this are connecting fares to/from other services carried out by the tenderer, provided that the fare is maximum 40 % of the fully flexible fare.

Transfer conditions

All conditions set out by the carrier for the transfer of passenger to and from other carriers routes, including connecting times and through check-in of tickets and baggage, shall be objective and non-discriminatory.

3. FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM: