EU guidelines for state aid for regional airports

The discussions about state aid for regional airports started in 2004 with the so-called Charleroi Case. The Charleroi airport (now called Brussels South) and the region Wallonie were accused of forbidden State Aid by the European Commission. Quite a few regions, regional airports and low fare airlines expressed their opinion on this case which lead in 2005 to the “The community guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports” (Official Journal C 312 9f 09.12.2005). In 2007 AER organised a conference in Poznan (Poland) about the (negative) consequences of these guidelines for the development of regional airports and regions.

Purpose of the conference

These guidelines have to be renewed in 2010. The European Commission has started with the preparations. The discussion about the guidelines is already beginning. In this process also the AER will express its opinions in this field.

Fpr these guidelines to support regional development, many points and issues need to be addressed.  Experts of regions, regional airports and low fare airlines will give their opinion about this during the conference. Discussion with participants and other stakeholders is therefore crucial at this time

Participants

The conference is meant in the first place for policymakers who already have  experience with the present guidelines but also political  representatives of regions and regional airports are invited

The small format of the conference allowed for dynamic exchange between speakers and participants.