Communication from the Commission pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 — Imposition by Ireland of public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services between Galway/Minna and the Aran Islands (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2001-10-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Ireland, air transport, inland transport, public service, transport planning, transportation tariff

C 281/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

5.10.2001

Final report of the Hearing Officer in case COMP/37.444 (cid:151) SAS/Maersk and COMP/37.386 (cid:151)
Sun-Air v SAS and Maersk Air (1)

(pursuant to Article 15 of Commission Decision 2001/462/EC, ECSC of 23 May 2001 on the terms
of reference of hearing officers in certain competition procedures (OJ L 162, 19.6.2001))

(2001/C 281/04)

The draft decision does not give rise to particular observations regarding the parties’ right to be heard. An
oral hearing was not requested. Neither the defendants nor any interested third party have mentioned any
problem of a procedural nature. The draft decision only deals with objections in respect of which the
defendants have been afforded the opportunity of making known their views.

Done at Brussels, 14 June 2001.

(1) OJ L 265, 5.10.2001.

Helmuth SCHR(cid:214)TER

Communication from the Commission pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC)
No 2408/92

Imposition by Ireland of public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services between
Galway/Minna and the Aran Islands

(2001/C 281/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

to

1. Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No
2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air
carriers
Irish
Government has decided to impose a public service obli-
gation in respect of scheduled air services with effect from
1 February 2002 on the Galway/Minna to the Aran Islands
route.

intra-Community

routes,

the

air

2. The public service obligation is as follows:

2.1. Minimum frequency and seating capacity

The services must be operated at the rate of at least six
return trips per day, seven days per week as outlined at
2(3) below.

This requirement applies throughout the year.

2.2. Type of aircraft used:

(a) The services must be operated by aircraft with a

minimum capacity of nine passenger seats.

(b) Carriers’ attention is drawn to technical and
operative conditions applying at the airports. For
further information please contact Department of

Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Na
tel.
Forbacha, Gaillimh,
(353-91) 59 25 55, fax (353-91) 59 25 95, e-mail:
soleidhinn@ealga.ie

SeÆn (cid:211) Leidhinn,

2.3. Timetables

The flight schedules must include three return flights
to the islands in the morning and three return flights
to the islands in the afternoon as outlined below to
enable passengers to make the round trip within the
day.

Time (*)

8.30

9.00

Island

Galway/Minna-Inis M(cid:243)r-Galway/Minna

Galway/Minna-Inis MeÆin-Inis
O(cid:237)rr-Galway/Minna

10.00

Galway/Minna-Inis M(cid:243)r-Galway/Minna

15.30

Galway/Minna-Inis M(cid:243)r-Galway/Minna

16.00

Galway/Minna-Inis MeÆin-Inis
O(cid:237)rr-Galway/Minna

17.00

Galway/Minna-Inis M(cid:243)r-Galway/Minna

(*) Times shown for illustration purposes only.

5.10.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 281/7

2.4. Fares:

(a) A range of fares may be applied subject to:

1. A maximum return standard fare of

IEP 35
(EUR 44,44) is proposed to each of the islands.

2. A maximum return fare of IEP 27 (EUR 34,28)
for local residents (islanders) is proposed to each
of the islands.

3. A maximum return fare of IEP 29 (EUR 36,82)
for students under 26 is proposed to each of the
islands.

4. A maximum return fare of IEP 20 (EUR 25,39)
for children under 18 is proposed to each of the
islands.

5. A maximum return fare of IEP 18 (EUR 22,86)
for local students and children (islanders)
is
proposed to each of the islands.

(b) Where

interline
the

concluded
agreements
concerning
such agreements
PSO route,
should follow, with regard to fares on the route,
the pro-rata system in accordance with inter-
national rules.

are

if

and

Islands

(c) The maximum fare may be increased once each
year with the prior consent of the Minister for
Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht
an
abnormal and unforeseeable increase in the cost
factors affecting the operation of the routes takes
place for which the carrier is not responsible. The
new maximum fare will be notified to the carrier
operating the service and will not enter into force
prior
European
Commission and publication of the Official Journal
of the European Communities.

notification

the

its

to

to

2.5. Marketing of flights

Flights must be marketed using a reservation system.

2.6. Continuity of services:

(a) Except

in cases of

force majeure,

the number of
flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable
to the carrier must not exceed 2 % of
the
number of flights on an annual basis.

(b) The carrier must give at least six months’ notice

before discontinuing the services.