52003XC1119(03)

Commission communication pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92

Modification by the United Kingdom of a public service obligation in respect of a scheduled air service between Glasgow and Barra

(2003/C 278/06)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. The United Kingdom has decided to further modify the public service obligation in respect of the scheduled air service between Glasgow and Barra as set out in the Notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 387/06 of 21 December 1996, as modified in the Official Journal of the European Communities by C 355/04 of 8 December 1999 and C 310/08 of 13 December 2002, pursuant to Article 4(1)(a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2408/92 of 23 July 1992 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes.

2. THE MODIFIED PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATION IS AS FOLLOWS:

- Minimum frequencies

One return trip per day except Sunday between Glasgow and Barra

- Capacity

The capacity of the aircraft used should be not less than:

- 12 seats on the Glasgow to Barra route and 15 seats on the Barra to Glasgow route (Monday to Friday); and

- 10 seats on the Glasgow to Barra route and 15 seats on the Barra to Glasgow route (Saturday).

(Provision is currently made by the present operator for 2 seats for the post office on all outbound services. This is, however, subject to separate contract arrangements).

- Aircraft types

The aircraft used should be suitable for landing on Barra airstrip which is located on Traigh Mhor beach.

- Fares

Proposals should include two pricing options as follows:

- One pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 101 and a second pricing option for a single ticket not exceeding GBP 71 (excluding air passenger duty and security charges).

The maximum fare on the route may be increased once every year with the prior written consent of the Scottish Ministers in line with the United Kingdom's Retail Price Index (all items) or any successor index to this.

No other changes may be made to the fare levels without the prior written consent of the Scottish Ministers.

The new maximum fare on the route must be notified to the Civil Aviation Authority and will not enter into force prior to its notification to the European Commission which may publish it in the Official Journal of the European Union.