Public service obligation
Date: 2007-09-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, air freight rate, air transport, airline, inland transport, provision of services, public service, transport capacity

C 205/4

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

4.9.2007

Public service obligation

(2007/C 205/04)

Pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Com-
munity air carriers to intra-Community air routes (1), the Finnish Government (Ministry of Transport and
Communications) has decided to impose a public service obligation. The obligation relates to scheduled
flights from Mikkeli to Helsinki in the period running from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2010. The
obligation does not cover the periods from 20 June to 15 August 2008, 19 June to 15 August 2009 or
18 June to 15 August 2010. The public service obligation will come into force as soon as it is published in
the Official Journal of the European Union.

The public service obligation for the Mikkeli-Helsinki route is as follows:

Minimum number of flights

The obligation covers flights between Mikkeli and Helsinki. This can involve either a flight from Mikkeli or
as a connection to some other route whereby the leg from Mikkeli to Helsinki is direct. The corresponding
return flight must be arranged for late in the evening.

Timetable

From Mondays to Fridays a flight must leave Mikkeli early enough in the morning to reach Helsinki-Vantaa
in time for the main international connections and in the evening, a flight must leave for Mikkeli late
enough for travellers arriving on the main international connections to catch.

Number of seats

The type of aircraft used must satisfy passenger demand in seating terms and the cabin must be pressurised.
The average monthly seat-occupancy rate must not exceed 80 %.

The aircraft must be able to accommodate normal baggage transport.

Ticket prices and sales

Ticket pricing must be competitive when compared to the pricing on another domestic air route.

The carrier must agree on an interline arrangement for the route covered by the public-service obligation
with at least one carrier operating a service out of Helsinki-Vantaa.

The carrier must have an international reservation and ticketing system operation in Finland and an IATA
interline agreement with through-pricing and luggage-handling arrangements. Information concerning prices
and timetable must be included in the international reservations and ticketing system.

The carrier must have a cooperation agreement covering through-pricing with at least one company that
flies to foreign destinations from Helsinki-Vantaa airport.

Flights must be sold through at least one computerised reservations system.

(1) OJ L 240, 24.9.1992, p. 8.

4.9.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 205/5

Continuity of service

The operation of air services on the route without regard to the above-mentioned public service obligation
may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

Air carriers intending to discontinue the provision of scheduled air services on this route must notify the
Finnish Civil Aviation Authority at least six months before the air services are discontinued.

Accessibility for people with disabilities

The carrier must ensure that sufficient provision is made for the needs of people with functional disabilities.

C 205/6

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

4.9.2007

ANNEX

APPEALS

The right to appeal

An appeal against the Ministry of Transport and Communications may be lodged by anyone to whom the decision is
addressed or whose rights, obligations or interests are directly affected by the decision. An appeal may be lodged on the
grounds that the decision is unlawful.

Adjudicating authority and deadline for appeals

Any party who opposes this decision may apply to have it amended by lodging an appeal. Appeals should be submitted
in writing to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Appeals must be submitted within 30 days from the date on which the public service obligation is published in the
Official Journal of the European Union.

Appeals must arrive by close of business on the last day of the appeal submission period.

Content of appeals

Appeals must state:

— which decision is being contested,

— which aspect of the decision the appeal concerns and what changes the appellant is calling for,

— on what grounds the changes are called for.

The appeal must also state the name and place of residence of the appellant. If the appellant has appointed a legal repre-
sentative or agent to speak for it or the appeal has been drafted by a third party, the appeal must also indicate the name
and place of residence of the representative, agent or third party.

The appeal must also give a postal address and telephone number that can be used to communicate with the appellant on
matters relating to the appeal.

The appeal must be signed by the appellant, representative or agent.

Annexes to the appeal

The following must be attached to the appeal:

— the original decision of the Ministry of Transport and Communications or a copy thereof,

— proof of the date on which the decision was notified or other proof of when the period for the submission of appeals

began,

— any documents supporting the appellant's demands not yet submitted to the authorities,

— power of attorney, if an agent is used.

Submitting the appeal

The appeal must be sent to the registry of the Supreme Administrative Court before the submission deadline. The
Supreme Administrative Court is located at:

Unioninkatu 16, Helsinki. Its postal address is: PL 180, FIN-00131 Helsinki.