Imposition by France of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services within France

(2004/C 299/10)

1.   France has decided to impose a public service obligation on scheduled air services between Limoges (Bellegarde) and Paris (Orly) 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 public service obligation in respect of scheduled air services between Limoges (Bellegarde) and Paris (Orly) is as follows:

Minimum frequency

The service must be operated throughout the year, excluding public holidays and the rerouting periods in August and at the end of the year, with at least two return trips a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, from Monday to Friday and one return trip on Saturday morning and Sunday evening.

The service must be non-stop between Limoges (Bellegarde) and Paris (Orly).

Timetables

Timetables must be such as to enable passengers on business trips during the working week to make the round trip within the day and to spend at least seven hours at their destination, whether Paris (Orly) or Limoges (Bellegarde).

Flight bookings

Seats on these flights must be marketed by at least one computerised booking system.

Continuity of service

Except in cases of force majeure, the number of flights cancelled for reasons directly attributable to the carrier must not exceed 3 % of the number of flights scheduled in any year. The carrier must give six months' notice before discontinuing the service.

Community carriers are hereby informed that the operation of air services without regard to the above-mentioned public service obligation may result in administrative and/or criminal penalties.

3.   Slots are currently reserved at Paris (Orly) airport for the scheduled Limoges (Bellegarde) – Paris (Orly) service pursuant to Article 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 of 18 January 1993 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports. Air carriers interested in this route can obtain information about these slots from the Paris airports coordinator.