WRITTEN QUESTION E-3875/02 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Community criteria for the development of regional air transport.
Date: 2003-01-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: State aid, civil aviation, common transport policy, competition law, control of State aid, international transport, regional development

10.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 161 E/159

In its second response, the Commission pointed out that, following the explanations provided by the
Portuguese authorities, it had emerged that the area of Bom Sucesso had 200 permanent residents and a
fluctuating population of less than 2 000. Consequently, the obligations deriving from Council Directive 91/
271/EEC of 21 May 1991 concerning urban waste water treatment, concerning in particular the collection
and treatment of the water in question, were not applicable.

In this response, the Commission pinpointed the fact that, given the interest of the Óbidos Lagoon, the
Portuguese authorities had stated that they were undertaking a series of actions for the lagoon’s recovery,
involving in particular the construction of
four large and ten small waste water treatment plants,
21 pumping stations, 80 km of outfalls and one under-sea outfall. According to the authorities, the
abovementioned system, which will be completed at the end of 2004, would permit the tertiary treatment
of the lagoon’s waste water, with the exception of that discharged into the sea through the under-sea
outfall, which would be subjected to secondary treatment.

As concerns more specifically the district of Bom Sucesso,
the
Portuguese authorities had informed it that they had speeded up the implementation of the actions
required and that the works should be finished during the summer of 2003, that is to say a year in
advance of the initial timetable.

the Commission pointed out

that

(1) OJ L 131, 30.5.1991.
(2) OJ L 103, 25.4.1979.
(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.

(2003/C 161 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3875/02

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2003)

Subject: Community criteria for the development of regional air transport

At present, regional air transport, thanks to its specific characteristics, is the part of the world air transport
sector enjoying the most rapid growth: it may be considered the ‘elite’ means of transport of both present
and future.

However, many airlines in this sector have moved away from serving regional routes only, and now also
provide services on international routes, operating for large airlines. This has led to complaints from the
large airlines, which are concerned over strong competition on routes that are now served, in many cases,
by regional airlines.

In view of these complaints, can the Commission state whether a specific Community regulation exists on
the development of regional air transport, in the interest of avoiding conflicts over competition with the
established airlines on international routes, given also that the volume of the operations involved entails
costly obligations?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

Ever since the three Regulations comprising the third air transport liberalisation package (Regulations (EEC)
No 2407/92 (1), No 2408/92 (2) and No 2409/92 (3)) entered into force on 1 January 1993, all Community
air carriers have been free to establish whatever air routes they deem to be of commercial interest between
Community airports (Article 3 of Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92). Accordingly, the choices airlines make in
this liberalised, competitive market are dictated by their own commercial strategies and the need for
profitability, irrespective of the route.

C 161 E/160

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

10.7.2003

Community legislation thus contains no specific provisions on regional airlines, which are subject to the
same competition and State aid rules as any other airlines.

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2407/92 of 23 July 1992 on licensing of air carriers, OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.
(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community

air routes, OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(3) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2409/92 of 23 July 1992 on fares and rates for air services, OJ L 240, 24.8.1992.

(2003/C 161 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3876/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2003)

Subject: Tenth anniversary of the Andalusia Technology Park in Malaga

The Andalusia Technology Park in Malaga has just celebrated its tenth anniversary. This occasion has
induced reflection on the state of development of this initiative, which has had the effect of transforming
the technological map of both Malaga province in particular and Andalusia in general.

The fact that the Commission has provided aid for this unique manifestation of the new technologies,
located in a fast-evolving region like Andalusia, should be sufficient reason for greater publicisation of its
support for this excellent initiative, which now houses a large number of technology companies.

Can the Commission indicate the nature of the aid provided by it to the Andalusia Technology Park in
Malaga, and provide information on how,
the park’s
foundation, it can now publicise, in suitable fashion, its own participation in this remarkable phenomenon
of technological development in an economically depressed region like Andalusia?

following on from the tenth anniversary of

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(25 February 2003)

The Commission has provided back-up and financial support for the implementation and development of
the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (PTA) project since its conception in 1990.

Under the Málaga y su Área de Influencia 1990-1993 operational programme (OP) the Commission
contributed EUR 14,42 million towards designing and equipping the PTA, out of a total cost of
EUR 24 million. During the 1994-1999 programming period and under the Andalusia OP, Community aid
represented 72,5 % of the EUR 13,52 million in eligible expenditure allocated to developing and promoting
the PTA. Lastly, the Integrado de Andalucía programme complement includes, for the current 2000-2006
programming period, a project to expand the PTA’s range of services. The rate of Community part-
financing for this project is 58,3 %.

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that the PTA is a success; a key factor in both its
conception and implementation has been the involvement of all the regional and local players, public and
private alike. The Commission would remind the Honourable Member that, under Article 46 of Council
Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1), the managing authority is responsible ‘for informing … the general
public about the role played by the Community in the assistance concerned and its results’.

For its part, the Commission will certainly draw on this experience as it seeks to optimise the effectiveness
of Community financial assistance for the regions.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds,

OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.