WRITTEN QUESTION P-3477/01 by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Investigation into Wallonia Region subsidy to Ryanair.
Date: 2001-12-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Belgium, State aid, Walloon region (Belgium), aid system, air transport, competition law, control of State aid, regional aid, transport company

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/121

In vitro methods for predicting basal cytotoxicity have been widely used in many parts of the world for
several years, and have already contributed to a reduction in the need for animal experimentation.
However, the purpose of the ICCVAM/ECVAM study is to provide independent advice on their formal use
for regulatory purposes, initially to predict starting doses for mandatory in vivo testing, in order to reduce
animal suffering and to reduce the number of animals required. The longer term aim is to do away with
the use of animals.

(2002/C 160 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3477/01

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(10 December 2001)

Subject: Investigation into Wallonia Region subsidy to Ryanair

In answer to my Written Question P-1767/01 (1), the Commission indicated that it could see nothing
wrong with the aid provided by the Wallonia Region to the Ryanair airline company for its use of
Charleroi airport. The Commission nevertheless stated that it intended ‘to check whether the information it
obtained earlier [was] still valid’.

New information about Ryanair has become available. In December and January it is giving away 300 000
free tickets in Europe. 50 000 of those will be for flights out of Charleroi. A so-called ‘master agreement’
has been concluded between Ryanair and that airport for a period of 15 years. During that period, Ryanair
will enjoy a number of advantages (see also Written Question P-1767/01). Over and above those subsidies,
the Wallonia Region government is also providing € 250 000 in hotel and restaurant costs for Ryanair
crews. Every new destination out of Charleroi will also be good for an extra € 160 000. And the Region is
contributing € 768 000 to training, in particular for pilots, is making office accommodation available free
of charge and spending some € 4 000 on so-called ‘miscellaneous expenses’. Yet the amount Ryanair
charges would-be pilots for their training is no less than € 24 170.

Has the Commission meanwhile checked whether the information it obtained earlier about possible aid
from the Wallonia Region to Ryanair is still accurate? Is that information compatible with Community
competition law? Will the Commission investigate further?

Does the Commission think that Charleroi and the surrounding region can be described as a ‘backward
area’, which would allow the authorities to provide financial assistance for infrastructural development?

Does the Commission consider the subsidies from the Wallonia Region for a period of 15 years, as
described above and in question P-1767/01, as being compatible with the provisions governing backward
regions?

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 222.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2002)

Following press reports at the start of the summer about possible advantages conferred on Ryanair for
operating at Charleroi airport, in September 2001 the Commission asked the Belgian authorities for certain
details so that it could appraise the nature of any advantages enjoyed by Ryanair in the light of the rules
on State aid in the EC Treaty.

This information was recently supplied by the Belgian authorities and is now being assessed by the
Commission.

C 160 E/122

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

In reply to the Honourable Member’s question about the status of Charleroi and the surrounding area, to
give some facts without prejudging the analysis in progress, the Commission informs the Honourable
Member that, based on the regional aid map for Belgium for 2000-2006, which was considered
compatible with Article 87(3)(c) (formerly Article 92) of the EC Treaty (1),
it can be considered a ‘less
favoured’ region eligible for regional aid, with an aid intensity ceiling of 20 % net grant equivalent.

(1) State aid No 799/1999 E Belgium. Decision available from site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/

state_aids/industrie_1999.htm.

(2002/C 160 E/157)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3488/01

by Christopher Heaton-Harris (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Environment and the EIB

What does the Commission think of
concerning the environmental impact of their projects?

the detail given on the European Investment Bank’s website

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2002)

The Commission understands that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has established a website (1) where
limited information is provided concerning projects introduced to the EIB for financing.

Apparently the purpose is to give to all interested parties a general view of all important aspects related to
these projects, i.e. project description, project objectives as well as environmental aspects.

Requests for additional information concerning these aspects may be addressed as indicated in the above
website to the Information and Communications Department of the EIB.

(1) http://www.europaworld.org/issue15/theeuropeaninvestmentbank291200.htm.

(2002/C 160 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3490/01

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Objective One

Is the Commission aware that Objective One funding has been allocated by Merseyside, in the UK, to the
Liverpool City Council bid for the 2008 European Capital of Culture?

Whilst acknowledging that the partnership is permitted to make such a decision, would the Commission
agree that this is an inappropriate use of funds, and puts other cities which do not qualify for such funding
at an unfair disadvantage?