Case C‑440/22 P

Wizz Air Hungary Légiközlekedési Zrt. (Wizz Air Hungary Zrt.)

v

European Commission

Judgment of the Court (Ninth Chamber) of 11 January 2024

(Appeal – State aid – Air transport – Romania – Rescue aid to TAROM – Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty – Decision of the European Commission not to raise objections on the ground that the measures constitute aid compatible with the internal market)

1. Aid granted by a Member State – Prohibition – Derogations – Discretion of the Commission – Adoption by the Commission of guidelines governing examination of the compatibility of aid with the internal market – Consequences – Self-limitation of its discretion – Obligation to comply with the principles of equal treatment and protection of legitimate expectations

   (Commission Communication 2014/C 249/01)

   (see paragraphs 32-34)

2. Aid granted by a Member State – Prohibition – Derogations – Aid capable of being regarded as compatible with the internal market – Aid for rescuing an undertaking in difficulty – Assessment in the light of Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring non-financial undertakings in difficulty – Criteria – Pursuit of an objective of common interest – Measure that aims to prevent social hardship or address a market failure – Aid granted to an airline ensuring regional connectivity – Aid pursuing an objective of common interest – No obligation to take into account the size of the relevant market

   (Art. 107(3)(c) TFEU; Commission Communication 2014/C 249/01, point 44(b))

   (see paragraphs 35-39)

3. Action for annulment – Natural or legal persons – Measures of direct and individual concern to them – Commission decision finding State aid compatible with the internal market without opening the formal investigation procedure – Action by parties concerned within the meaning of Article 108(2) TFEU – Admissibility – Conditions

   (Arts 108(2) and 263, fourth para., TFEU)

   (see paragraphs 94-98)

See the text of the decision.