State aid: Commission approves €1 million Romanian aid scheme for airlines starting or resuming operations at Oradea airport following the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €1 million Romanian scheme for those airlines resuming or starting flights to and from Oradea airport in Romania. Oradea airport plays an important role in the regional and international connectivity of the country. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. It provides aid in the form of direct grants and will be accessible in a transparent manner to all interested airlines starting or resuming operations at Oradea airport. The aid will be allocated following an evaluation of the number of destinations, frequency of flights and the estimated number of passenger generation in the first year following receipt of the aid. The objective of the measure is to support the activity of those air operators, and support the economic recovery and structural viability of the region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Romanian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed €800,000 per company and will be granted before 31 December 2020. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.57817 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
